TULSA, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder is building community by building community basketball courts all across the state.
The program is part of the Thunder Community Foundation, or Thunder Cares, as it's known, the charitable arm of the organization.
Josie Brown has experienced the impact firsthand. "I'm very good at guarding people," she said.
At 12 years old, Brown is dreaming big: " I want to be in the WNBA."
She passes the basketball to Jaylon Hasson. He's using lightning speed on the court while repping his favorite team, the Thunder. "I know that the OKC's going to win," said Hasson.
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Hasson and Brown are summer campers and among thousands who have played on the YouthWorks Thunder Community Court over the years.
"It makes me want to shoot around and stuff," said Hasson.
The outdoor court was built in 2018, thanks to a Thunder Cares contest.
"It was really a God thing. We're so grateful," said YouthWorks co-founder Pastor Chris Beach.
A two-minute video made by campers on their cell phones clinched it.
"They shared how we had a big storm; It knocked down our basketball goals. And the chant that they put in the video was What the storm knocked down--The Thunder can rebuild! What the storm knocked down- The Thunder can rebuild! And they beat out 70 other entities," said Beach.
This outdoor Thunder court is open to anyone at any time.
"One o'clock in the morning, I thought I would drive by. There were teenagers out here, and for me, that jazzes me because you could be out causing trouble, but instead you're out here playing basketball, and for me, that gives me a lot of joy," said Beach.
There are 31 courts across Oklahoma, with three located in Tulsa. The YouthWorks court is at 2750 MLK Boulevard.
Hawthorne Elementary is also home to a Thunder Community Court. Plus, there's a newly refurbished court at B.C. Franklin Park.
Dustin Jaggers, Recreation Program Manager with Tulsa Parks, said, "Tulsa Parks has many, many courts, hundreds of courts, but B.C. Franklin is one of our only Oklahoma City Thunder Courts."
B.C. Franklin is unique in that it has two courts. "Everything's new: new logo, new lanes," said Jaggers.
The fresh paint, nets, and hoops came in the fall of 2024. With that came fresh life.
"It creates the opportunity for us to come out and provide different things for kids- for example, we do basketball camps with the University of Tulsa, and drills and skills for kids in the community," said Jaggers.
The courts are among many Thunder Community Foundation Programs funded by fans, the community, and corporate sponsors.
Vice President of Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Thunder Community Foundation Erin Oldfield said, "Education, health, wellness, and community investment are our core pillars. Community is the heart and soul of what we do. Basketball is certainly the bonus. That's the piece that kind of drives our ability to give back."
Gifting kids like Brown with hoop dreams.
"Being a champion means having a good attitude on the court and just having fun," said Brown.
"No matter how hard you play. It's not about you winning- it's about what you learn," said Kemari Gamble.
A slam dunk for skills that go beyond the baseline.
Sand Springs and McAlester are also home to Thunder Community Courts. Here is a list of them all:
The Thunder Community Court list is below. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. 1.
Police Athletic League, OKC
Pitts Park, OKC
City Rescue Mission, OKC
El Reno Youth & Family Services
Bethel Acres Community Sports Center
Briarwood Elem. School, Moore
Plaza Towers Elem. School, Moore
Highland East Jr. High, Moore
Schilling Park, OKC
Hoyte-Shadid Park, Altus
Boys & Girls Club , Norman
BC Franklin Park, Tulsa
Crystal Beach Park, Woodward
Washita Valley Park, Chickasha
FaithWorks, OKC
OKC-County Health Center, OKC
River City Park/Case Community Park, Sand Springs
Calumet Park, Calumet
Fraley Park, Ardmore
Don Haskins Park, Enid
Tulsa YouthWorks, Tulsa
St. Crispin’s, Wewoka
Ackley Park, Elk City
Lee West Park, Lawton
Boise City Park, Boise City
Chadick Park, McAlester
Means Park, Weatherford
Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma Camp Trivera, OKC
Hawthorne Elementary, Tulsa
Lower Scissortail Park, OKC
Mark Twain Elementary, OKC
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