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COMMUNITIES: Sports, strolling, and kids play areas provides oasis

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Hidden Gems: Discover a well-kept neighbourhood secret

Just off Walnut Grove Drive, and tucked in behind the community’s high school, Walnut Grove Community Park is nestled at the centre of its namesake neighbourhood.

The park – along with the school and the nearby Walnut Grove Community Centre – sits inside a loop of West Munday Creek, which means it is shaded along three sides by large trees that line the watercourse.

It has a plethora of playing fields, making it a magnet for youth and recreational sports teams – there are four ball diamonds, an artificial turf soccer field, an all-weather soccer field, batting cages, six tennis courts, and a changeroom, and meeting rooms. There’s a concession area for game days.

During the warm months a spray park is active, and there are two separate play structures for small children. Near those are the two sizable picnic areas and the shady areas are scattered with smaller picnic tables and benches. 

Paths wind around the whole park for folks who are walking their dogs or going for a jog. Paths connect to nearby 91A Avenue, out to Walnut Grove Drive, and via the high school property, pedestrians can cross a bridge over the creek and reach 208 Street.

In addition to all that, there is a community garden that serves nearby residents who want to have space to grow some tomatoes, peas, or flowers, but don’t have any space at home because they live in a condo or townhouse.

Although the park is well-known to locals, it’s not that visible from the street, as it’s surrounded on most sides by trees. New arrivals in town will likely come to find it quickly, as it hosts innumerable youth sports events, picnics, club gatherings, and kids’ birthday parties.

The park is open dawn to dusk on most days of the year. 

Historical Tidbits

• 1934:

The new West Langley Community Hall was opened on Alexander Road – what is now 208 Street in Walnut Grove.

• 1957:

A 10-year-old West Langley boy ran through a wall of fire to escape a burning root house, suffering second-degree burns to his face, ankle, and a hand. The fire started in a bottle of gasoline.

• 1968:

The first public school kindergarten in Langley was to open at West Langley Elementary, but construction delays meant it did not start with the fall opening of schools.

• 1975:

Langley Township council began land use discussions for a 155-acre industrial park north of what would soon be known as Walnut Grove.

• 1976:

The first West Langley Community Hall burns to the ground. It would soon be replaced by the structure that still sits there today

• 1978:

A West Langley Elementary student averted disaster when she spotted a fire in the school, allowing all 160 students and staff to evacuate safely. The fire was one of several in that area suspected to be the handiwork of an arsonist.

• 1992:

Walnut Grove Secondary School opened in May, a full eight months behind schedule thanks to delays during construction



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NBA, Global Basketball Community Unite for World Basketball Day Celebration

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This article is from a press
release by the NBA

The NBA and the global
basketball community are set to mark World Basketball Day on Dec.
21 with a wide-ranging celebration aimed at engaging hundreds of
millions of fans and youth across the world, highlighting
basketball’s roots, reach and enduring social impact.

Now in its third year, World
Basketball Day commemorates the date in 1891 when Dr. James
Naismith first introduced the game of basketball at a YMCA in
Springfield, Massachusetts. Established by the United Nations in
2023, the annual celebration recognizes basketball as a unifying
force across cultures and continents—an idea the NBA is embracing
through clinics, community programs, digital campaigns and in-arena
activations worldwide.

This year’s observance carries
added significance as it coincides with the 175th anniversary of
the YMCA, widely regarded as the birthplace of the sport. In
recognition of that milestone, the NBA and YMCA announced a
year-long collaboration focused on youth basketball and community
development, extending a long-standing partnership that will
support millions of young people and families across the United
States.

The initiative will include
youth-focused programming and renovations of select YMCA facilities
nationwide, directly benefiting the more than six million youth the
YMCA serves annually. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the
historical importance of the moment, noting that World Basketball
Day in 2025 serves as both a celebration of the game’s origins and
a reflection of its global influence more than a century
later.

“World Basketball Day takes on a
special meaning this year as we commemorate the 175th anniversary
of the YMCA, where the sport was first invented 134 years ago,”
Silver said. “We are thrilled to join our many friends in the
basketball community to celebrate the game’s impact and influence
around the world.”

The NBA’s digital footprint will
play a central role in the celebration. Across its global and
localized social platforms, the league will feature NBA players
sharing what World Basketball Day means to them, alongside
highlights from events taking place in different regions. Fans are
encouraged to participate by tagging @nba, @nbacares and @jrnba on
social media using the hashtag

#WorldBasketballDay.

On the grassroots level, the Jr.
NBA and Jr. WNBA programs, along with NBA Basketball School
initiatives that reach tens of millions of youth and coaches
globally, will gain access to a special playbook containing
exclusive training and educational content designed to promote
skill development and values such as teamwork and
leadership.

World Basketball Day will also
intersect with the NBA’s competitive calendar. Dec. 21 will serve
as a “3-for-1 Day” in NBA All-Star Voting, allowing fans with an
NBA ID to submit one ballot per day via the NBA App or NBA.com,
with each vote counting triple toward All-Star
selections.

Across the United States,
numerous NBA franchises—including the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Bucks,
Mavericks and Warriors—will celebrate through localized events and
in-arena activities. Several player-led initiatives will headline
the festivities, including youth clinics hosted by former and
current NBA players such as Taj Gibson and Michael Carter-Williams.
In St. Louis, the Gateway Region YMCA recently hosted a youth
clinic attended by Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also
announced upcoming YMCA renovations supported by NBA Cares and The
Jayson Tatum Foundation.

Internationally, the scope of
World Basketball Day underscores the NBA’s global reach. FIBA will
announce the inductees for its 2026 Hall of Fame class, while NBA
Africa and the Basketball Africa League will deploy 19 coaches to
conduct clinics across 13 African nations, reaching more than 600
coaches as part of a long-term effort to develop the sport on the
continent.

The Philippines, one of the
NBA’s most passionate international markets, will play a visible
role in the celebration. Local basketball players and content
creators from the country will be featured across the NBA’s
localized channels, while NBA Stores in the Philippines will host
World Basketball Day scavenger hunts offering fans the chance to
win merchandise and exclusive discounts. Beginning on Dec. 21, fans
who purchase official NBA merchandise at participating stores will
also receive a complimentary World Basketball Day T-shirt while
supplies last.

NBA champion Jayson Tatum
highlighted the personal significance of the day, pointing to
basketball’s role in shaping lives beyond the court. “World
Basketball Day is a chance to celebrate the game and the impact it
has on people everywhere,” Tatum said. “Basketball has had such a
positive influence on my life, and I hope I can pass along the joy
and skills I’ve learned to the next generation.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy
Engelbert echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the sport’s ability
to open doors for girls and women worldwide. Leaders from FIBA, USA
Basketball, the NCAA, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the
NBCA and the NFHS also underscored basketball’s educational,
cultural and community value, reinforcing the idea that the game’s
influence stretches far beyond professional leagues.

As basketball continues to grow
as the world’s fastest-rising sport and the second most popular
globally, World Basketball Day stands as both a tribute to its
humble beginnings and a celebration of its future. From
neighborhood gyms to global arenas, Dec. 21 will once again
spotlight how a simple game invented more than a century ago
continues to connect communities, inspire youth and bring the world
together through a shared love for basketball.



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Orange County boys basketball highlights, final scores for Saturday, Dec. 20 –

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CURE FOR CHOC

CYPRESS 59, FAIRMONT PREP 49: Cypress beat No. 4 ranked Fairmont Prep 59-49 in the Cure CHOC hosted by Sonora’s Mike Murphy Saturday. Cypress played well defensively and was able to neutralize the size of Fairmont, according to Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell.

Gavin Kroll led Cypress (10-4) with 18 points and four 3-pointers. Ethan Mai and Tyrus Allen each had 11 points for the Centurions.

“I’m lucky to have a staff who thinks outside the box when comes to game planning,” Mitchell said. “I think our boys followed the game plan and competed every single play. Joedy (Gardner of Fairmont Prep) is a great coach and they will get better after Christmas.”

Cypress will represent the North in the Orange County North/South Challenge hosted by Steve Garrett at Tesoro on Tuesday.

Fairmont Prep (7-5) was led by Ryan Guo, who had 19 points and two 3-pointers and David Abisogun, who had 12 points.

CHARLIE WILKINS MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

UNIVERSITY 59, SADDLEBACK 54: University held on to beat Saddleback on the opening day of the Charlie Wilkins Memorial Tournament at Westminster High School. The Trojans opened up a 26-10 lead after the first quarter, but the Roadrunners won each of the next three quarters. Saddleback cut the lead to one basket multiple times late in the game, but could not catch University.

Saddleback (5-6) had three players score all but two of their points. Senior guard Christopher Trotter had 27 points and four 3-pointers. Senior guard Angel Soberanis notched 15 points and three 3-pointers with all his scoring coming in the first half. Junior guard Tyrone Conner added 10 points.

University (3-11) broke an eight game losing streak. Abdallah Shami put the team on his back with his ninth double-double.

The junior center scored a career high 29 points adding 18 rebounds (14 offensive). Sophomore forward Lucas Haun scored a career high 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Junior guard Josh Kagawan contributed three points, six rebounds and seven assists.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone

TARBUT V’ TORAH 78, WESTMINSTER 39: The Lions evened their record at 4-4 with the win Saturday. TVT was led by Ari Varon with 19 points and four 3-pointers. Ori Maya had 14 points, Jon Marzouk 12 points on four 3-pointers and Matt Olen 12 points. TVT made 15 3-pointers.

NON-LEAGUE

BECKMAN 69, PORTOLA 57: The Patriots captured a non-league win at home Saturday. Qusai Azem had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Josh Charette 16 points and four assists and Bronson Mejia 15 points and 13 rebounds.

SERVITE 79, PALM DESERT 52: The Friars (11-3) were led by Tariq Johnson II with 37 points and Jake Schutt with 15 points.

Cerritos 64, Sunny Hills 55

TARKANIAN CLASSIC

SANTA MARGARITA 86, BISHOP GORMAN 79 (2 OTs): The Eagles (13-1) advanced to the Platinum Division semifinals. Drew Anderson scored 29 points and had 19 rebounds; Brayden Kyman 19 points and four 3-pointers, seven rebounds four assists and three blocks and Kaiden Bailey 18 points and three 3-pointers and four assists.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com



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BIG EAST notebook: Conference newcomers make strides

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The 6’4 forward excelled at Niagara Prep, leading the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) in blocks in 2019-20. She was named to the 2022 All-Canadian All-Star Game (the top 24 student-athletes in Canada) and also competed with Canada Elite before accepting a scholarship offer from Wisconsin. A two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and the conference’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Williams transferred to UConn for her final season of collegiate eligibility.

The Women’s Champions Classic at the Barclays Center on Saturday was a good test of how the New York native has transitioned to the role of UConn’s starting big. After UConn’s 90-64 win over No. 11 Iowa, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma offered a balanced assessment.

“There’s been an improvement … in her approach to what she wants to get accomplished,” Auriemma told reporters. “I think coming into a situation like ours … can be a little bit daunting — you know, where do I fit in, what [is] my role going to be? We talked a lot about impacting the game — whichever way, whatever that means. And I thought tonight was one of her better performances.”


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In 23 minutes of play against Iowa, Williams added 7 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Her length and defensive instincts disrupted the Hawkeyes’ post play and created second-chance opportunities for the Huskies.

She wasn’t brought to UConn to be a primary scorer — it already has Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd and Blanca Quiñonez averaging, respectively, 26.7, 26.4 and 22.8 points per 40 minutes. Instead, Williams allows the Huskies to match up better against the nation’s elite bigs like Madina Okot at South Carolina and Lauren Betts at UCLA — teams poised to return to the Final Four this season.

The margins between the nation’s very top teams are a matter of inches, and adding length like Williams was a wise transfer portal tune-up from the technicians on UConn’s coaching staff.

“Iowa relies heavily on their inside game, and I thought [Serah] both getting us a couple buckets and some of the rebounds and blocked shots [was important]. Those are things that, when we decided that we wanted to add Serah [to the roster], we thought we really, really need more of a defensive presence,” Auriemma told reporters. “We need more of an offensive threat. And I think it takes time, and I think this last three weeks or so, she’s made a lot of progress.”

Williams is a formidable post presence on a reigning national championship Huskies squad already stacked with high-impact guards and wings. As the calendar turns to January, she’s steadily becoming the player she was brought to Storrs to be. Sunday’s performance in her hometown is proof.


Photo of the cover of "Becoming Caitlin Clark," a new book written by Howard Megdal.

“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!

Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.


The future is now in Omaha

Ranked ESPN HoopGurlz No. 84 and No. 89, respectively, twin guards Neleigh and Norah Gessert arrived at Creighton having already made names for themselves in Omaha. Just 20 minutes down the road from Creighton’s campus, the 6′ guards guided Millard West High School to consecutive Nebraska state championships in 2024 and 2025. Over their final two high school seasons, they went 55-2.

Last November, with Creighton coming off a program-best third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, Neleigh and Norah chose to become Bluejays.

“I fell in love with Creighton from the very beginning, the first step on campus, I knew it would be home,” Norah said when she committed to the school. “Ever since I was a kid, Creighton has been nothing less than a dream school for me, and I can’t wait to be a Bluejay!”

Last week against Omaha, the twins combined for 40 points — a career-high-tying 25 points from Neleigh and a career-high 15 points from Norah — en route to a 92-48 victory over the Mavericks at Baxter Arena, Omaha’s home court.

“Because of the way they shot — hopefully they’re not thinking about leaving to come here and play in this gym,” Creighton head coach Jim Flanery joked with reporters after the game.

When asked about the transition to the college game, Norah acknowledged that it’s been a bit of an adjustment for the Bluejays, given that their roster consists of six freshmen out of 11 players.

“I feel like we got an early start in the summer, so that always helps,” Norah said. “But obviously, there’s a lot of differences from high school to college. Basically, everything’s 10 times faster. So I think it’s always a little rocky at first, but we’ve kind of talked about how we were kind of young at the beginning, but now we’re more in the season, so we’re not as young.”


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The Gessert twins aren’t the only freshmen making an immediate impact for the Bluejays. Freshman guard Ava Zediker moved into the starting line-up following the loss of senior guard Kiani Lockett on Nov. 20 to injury. Zediker made her mark right away, earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors for the first week of December.

Zediker didn’t look much like a freshman in a 73-60 win over Tulsa on Dec. 7, notching a career-high 26 points, going 4-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line. She averages 11.6 points per game, good for second on the Bluejays, narrowly behind Neleigh Gessert‘s 12.3 points per game.

“They’re not only getting to play, they’re impacting whether we win or lose. … That’s a great thing for a freshman to have that opportunity, but it’s also a heavy responsibility,” Flanery told reporters. “I have to constantly remind them that that’s a responsibility.

“You don’t want [it] to be a heavy pressure, but you want them to put enough pressure on themselves to talk louder on defense and more forcefully on defense, and stay in … broken plays that you can get away with maybe in high school, not finishing a play that you can’t get away with in college.”

As he has for years, Jim Flanery has built a solid foundation of mostly local Midwest talent who have bought into a Creighton program now seeking a fifth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. While the Bluejays have shown some growing pains in their 6-5 start to the season, it’s clear that their newcomers are ready to maintain the program’s standard of excellence — and that starts with making an impact on the court right away.

“[I’m] so happy and blessed to be able to coach them,” Flanery said. ” … We need them now — to win, not just to play.”

Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell of The IX Basketball contributed reporting to this story.



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Guardian caps, new helmets aim to improve safety for young football players

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New and improved helmet technology was approved by the National Operating Committee on the Standards for Athletic Equipment.

The helmet is lighter and more suitable for youth. While this lighter helmet won’t be available until 2027 and won’t be mandatory, youth leagues around the area will be more than willing to adopt this new equipment to protect the youth.

“I don’t see how you can’t,” former college and NFL football cornerback Carl Lee said. “For the youth kids to play.”

Since retiring from playing and coaching, Lee deals directly with fitting youth for their helmet sizes in South Charleston. Lee does everything he possibly can to make sure the helmet is a perfect fit.

But that’s just part of the problem.

“You got a kid that’s about to your knees, and while the helmet may fit, it’s like two bricks,” Lee said. “He can’t even hold his head up. There has to be more attention paid to youth football and the gear that you’re providing for them.”

Efforts are underway to get guardian caps mandated for middle and high school players. (WCHS)

Efforts are underway to get guardian caps mandated for middle and high school players. (WCHS)

Everyone wants to be safe but having the ability to provide the newest and best equipment is another challenge that some leagues may struggle to provide. Lee said South Charleston is lucky enough to be one of the leagues that has a budget to provide the safest and best facilities for their kids.

Due to others teams’ and leagues’ budgets, the safety and equipment some kids may get, isn’t on par with what others may receive

“It doesn’t create safety across the league as a whole,” Lee said. “I think us being safe and doing the best we can to be safe, isn’t good for the league. What needs to happen is the league itself, we have to find ways to make every child that plays safe.”

That particular helmet is not available until 2027. Teams right now are doing what they can to provide an extra layer of safety to their kids though the use of newer helmets and mostly guardian caps – a decision that many coaches and league presidents didn’t take lightly.

“We made this decision last year after the tragedy that happened to the young man in Madison Middle,” youth league president David Hopper said. “We bought them the day or the week after that we heard about it on the news.”

The tragedy Hopper is talking about is that of Cohen Craddock in August of 2024. At just 13 years old, Craddock died after a collision at practice caused a brain bleed and swelling, leading to a lack of oxygen.

It sent shockwaves through communities across the state. Craddock’s father continues fighting in his son’s honor in an attempt to get mandatory guardian caps for all middle and high school practices.

Cohen Craddock died after a collision at practice at just 13 years old. (WCHS){ }{p}{/p}

Cohen Craddock died after a collision at practice at just 13 years old. (WCHS){ }

The extra protection eases the minds of parents who want to prevent future tragedies from happening to other young athletes.

“I’ve been in the league for about four years now,” Melissa Allen said. “We’ve seen some pretty nasty hits. It definitely eases your mind as a parent to know that there is a little bit more protection. This year, we have seen a lot less injuries. I definitely, think they’re a great addition.”

According to the National Football League, guardian caps absorb 11-12% of impact force and were made mandatory during practice as they try to crack down on concussions and head trauma at the professional level. These protective caps have contributed to a nearly 50% reduction in concussions.

The caps can run roughly $80 per player, which could be a burden for parents who may already be facing financial hardships. Luckily for Ripley Little League, local businesses stepped in and helped provide the caps, helping provide the youth football Vikings the all-important extra layer of protection

Safety equipment can be cost preventative for some families. (WCHS){p}{/p}

Safety equipment can be cost preventative for some families. (WCHS)

“This is our youth,” Allen said. “This is who grows up and takes care of your businesses, and these parents are going to support your business.”

Football is a core memory for millions growing up. Many wouldn’t trade the experiences and life lessons they learned, but parent’s minds are at ease knowing that safety continues to be at the forefront of every league.

“I let my kid play before there were guardian caps,” Allen said. “I do wish there were guardian caps back when he played, but I would let my kid play just because of what football teaches them. It does ease your mind as a parent that there’s some extra protection there now. I love football, I love what it teaches my kid. It teaches them how to be a team player, it teaches them that it’s not only you. You have to work together with people and it teaches you a lot about leadership.”

“I think there’s a danger with anything,” Hopper added. “Just walking down the sidewalk there’s a danger to it. Football builds character. Football builds young men. There’s a trend today to let your kids be safe, be coddled, but it’s important to let them do hard things and football I think is the epitome of that.”



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Monumental Sports & Entertainment Steps Up D.C. Students’ Access to Athletic Shoes with “District Kicks” Initiative

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Year-long effort as part of company’s “District of Play” program will provide Under Armour footwear to nearly 6,500 students across DC Public Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 21, 2025) — Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) today announced “District Kicks,” one of the year two marquee initiative of the District of Play platform, led by the Washington Wizards in partnership with Under Armour and DC Public Schools (DCPS).

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural effort, District Dribble, which placed nearly 30,000 basketballs into the hands of every DCPS student in PK3 through 5th grade, District Kicks shifts the focus to essential athletic gear—ensuring student-athletes can take part in sports safely and with pride.

The district-wide, multi-phase initiative will deliver Under Armour footwear to all DCPS high school athletes and celebrate milestone moments for sixth-grade students enrolled in DCPS 6th Grade Academies.

“When I got my first basketball as a kid in Brooklyn, that single piece of equipment unlocked everything that followed—confidence, belonging, and the belief that sports could shape my future,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “District Kicks is built on that same idea: when you give young people the right tools, you give them the ability to dream bigger. We are proud to partner with Under Armour and DCPS to ensure DC students can step onto the court or field ready to compete and believe in what’s possible.”

“We are the Sports Capital not only because of our professional teams, but also because of the opportunities we create for our children,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “This initiative is one more way we can make sports more accessible to more students, and we’re grateful for Monumental’s continued partnership and commitment to our city’s young people.”

About District Kicks

Throughout 2026, District Kicks will come to life through a full year of athletic shoe distribution and programming.

High School Sport-Specific Footwear: District Kicks will provide sport-specific Under Armour footwear to all high school student-athletes across roughly 22 DCPS schools, totaling approximately 5,200 students. Shoes will be delivered directly to school campuses and will be distributed in alignment with athletic seasons, beginning with spring sports in March 2026, followed by fall sports in August and winter sports in November.

High School Pep Rallies: Each seasonal distribution will be anchored by a flagship pep rally at a featured high school, creating moments of recognition and visibility for student athletes.

6th Grade Athletic Footwear: District Kicks will provide all DCPS 6th graders enrolled in 6th Grade Academies with Under Armour athletic sneakers, reaching more than 1,200 students across 11 DCPS campuses. Available in multiple styles and colorways, the footwear is designed to help students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to move, play, and take part in school sports and activities.

6th Grade Kick Off Event: MSE will distribute the footwear as part of a celebration for 6th graders enrolled in 6th Grade Academies on March 3, 2026, at CareFirst Arena. The event will gather students for a high-energy, pep rally-style celebration, complete with interactive sports experiences and career-based learning opportunities. MSE will cover transportation and logistics for all participating schools, ensuring every student can be part of the day.

“Engaging our scholars throughout their transition into middle school takes commitment and creativity,” said DCPS Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “In our 6th Grade Academies, students are given the tools to excel inside and outside of the classroom. DCPS is grateful to partner with Monumental Sports and Under Armour to provide resources to young people so they can thrive in programming that deepens their connection to school.”

About Under Armour’s Project Rampart

Project Rampart is an initiative by Under Armour to elevate the student-athlete experience and improve academic outcomes through the power of sport. Beginning in Baltimore in 2017 and having since expanded to Oakland and Washington DC, Project Rampart is a blueprint that ensures student-athletes have access to upgraded facilities, best-in-class apparel, leadership development, and coach training through specialized programming.

To learn more, visit about.underarmour.com/Purpose/impact/project-rampart.

About District of Play

Launched in 2024 as part of the Capital One Arena reimagination, “District of Play” is MSE’s commitment to expanding access to youth sports and wellness across DC. “District of Play” invests in youth sports infrastructure, creates new opportunities for underserved youth, and drives community impact through the Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, Monumental Sports Network, and the MSE Foundation.

In its first year, the initiative reached more than 200,000 residents, earning recognition from Fight for Children and a nomination for a 2025 ESPY Sports Humanitarian Award. Learn more about “District of Play”’s momentous first year of impact in the 2024-25 annual report here.

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment company and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Designed to empower human performance, Under Armour’s innovative products and experiences are engineered to make athletes better. For further information, please visit http://about.underarmour.com.



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Suns, Mercury pros join youth for hoops to celebrate World Basketball Day

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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury marked World Basketball Day with a basketball clinic that brought kids face-to-face with two pro players on Tuesday.

The Suns/Mercury Foundation hosted the event, which brought the Suns’ Nick Richards and the Mercury’s Natasha Mack to answer questions from children in a Q&A.

Richards, who grew up in Jamaica, and Mack, a dual citizen of Montenegro, shared stories about playing overseas and how basketball connects people everywhere.

The Suns/Mercury Foundation hosted a basketball clinic for World Basketball Day on Dec. 16.
The Suns/Mercury Foundation hosted a basketball clinic for World Basketball Day on Dec. 16.(Suns/Mercury Foundation)

After the chat, the pros and kids rolled up their sleeves and shot hoops alongside the mascots.

World Basketball Day, now in its third year, rallies the NBA family and the global basketball community.

Partners like the YMCA, FIBA, USA Basketball, the NCAA, and the Naismith Hall of Fame joined in with clinics, social campaigns, and activities worldwide.

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