NBA Cares Hoops For Troops

NBA Cares Hoops for Troops is a year-round initiative led by the NBA, its teams and players in collaboration with the Department of Defense, USO and other military and veteran serving organizations to honor active and retired service men and women and their families.

The NBA family will join the Department of Defense to host several military appreciation events around Veterans Day weekend. On Nov. 8 and 9, NBA and WNBA legends and players visited military facilities and medical centers in San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where they spent time with active military, veterans, and their families.

The NBA family will also recognize the National Guard, police, firefighters and other first responders whose tireless work has been invaluable in helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

For a complete photo gallery of our military events, visit our NBA Cares Facebook page.

LEAGUE EVENTS

  • NBA Legend Bruce Bowen and WNBA Legend Marie Ferdinand-Harris visited Brooke Army Medical Center and the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio.

  • NBA Legend Buck Williams and WNBA Legend Teresa Edwards spent time at the Fisher House and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

  • Washington Wizards players John Wall and Trevor Booker visited the Soldier & Family Activities Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.



TEAM EVENTS

Bosh Prepares Packages For Troops Overseas

The Miami HEAT's Chris Bosh recently prepared care packages at American Airlines Arena for our service men and women stationed overseas.

Bucks Visit Milwaukee VA Hospital

To recognize & honor American service men & women, Milwaukee Bucks players Tobias Harris, Ekpe Udoh and John Henson visited veterans at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center.

Magic Host Seats For Soldiers Night

For the ninth year overall, the Orlando Magic honored military men, women and their families with Seats for Soldiers Night. Seats for Soldiers participating military outfits include Patrick Air Force Base, Orlando Vet Center, Wounded Warrior Project, Orlando Marine affiliate, Orlando Army affiliate, Florida National Guard, Operation Gratitude and Operation Giveback (both Operation Gratitude and Giveback are nonprofits benefiting military personnel).

Timberwolves Tip-Off Heroes United Program

The Minnesota Timberwolves launched their regular season with the Heroes United Program honoring Sergeant Patrick Loch of Litchfield, Minnesota Friday night against the Sacramento Kings.

Wizards Salute to the Stars

As part of NBA Cares Week, John Wall and the Washington Wizards honored our service men and women and their families with their annual Salute to the Stars event. Players serving as celebrity waiters included Wall, rookie Bradley Beal and Emeka Okafor.

Hoops For Troops Calendar

  • During their respective home games on Nov. 9, 10, 11, and 12, the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards will host Military Appreciation Nights featuring ticket donations to active military and veterans, pregame and in-game activities to honor area service members, and oncourt recognition of military heroes.
  • Nov. 5: The Chicago Bulls are teaming up with the Wounded Warrior Project® to honor more than 30 local heroes and their families at the “Stars and Strikes” event at Pinstripes bowling alley in Northbrook.
  • Nov. 10: The Houston Rockets invite fans to participate in the 11th Annual Rockets Run 2012 benefiting USO. For every participant, $3 will be donated directly to the USO. Participants are also encouraged to make additional donations.
  • Nov. 11: The Detroit Pistons will host and honor over 550 military members and their families as Come Together Program “Game Changers”. Members of the Air National Guard will be selling Pistons 50/50 raffle tickets throughout the game with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.
  • Nov. 12: Chicago Bulls Ambassador Sidney Green will join United Center staff, stars from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, USO families, and children from the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club to assemble holiday care packages to send to troops serving overseas.
  • Nov. 12: The Los Angeles Lakers will serve breakfast to homeless and transitioning veterans.
  • Nov. 13: As part of his Sideline Soldiers program, Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough will host 8 guests from the Indiana National Guard and the Wounded Warriors Project during the game.
  • Nov. 13: The Minnesota Timberwolves will invite a group of Purple Heart recipients, veterans, and active service members to a special dinner with players and coaching staff. The team will also honor Minnesota troops, both deployed and recently returned, and their families at each home game throughout the month of November as part of “Operation: Minnesota Heroes.”
  • Nov. 15: The Cleveland Cavaliers will visit patients at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center.
  • Nov. 17: The Cleveland Cavaliers will host their Salute the Military Night. Tickets to the game will be 50% off select prices for all active duty and retired military members and their immediate families. On behalf of all fans in attendance, the Cavaliers will donate $1 from each single game ticket sold to the Wounded Warrior Project.