NBA D-League In The Community

NBA FAMILY TIPS BEGINS THE NEW YEAR WITH NBA FIT LIVE HEALTHY WEEK

-- NBA D-League Teams and Players Join with NBA and WNBA to Encourage Kids and Families to Make Healthy Choices --

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2012 -- The NBA family today tips off its NBA FIT Live Healthy Week, which will run through Feb. 2. During Live Healthy Week, the entire NBA family – led by the NBA/WNBA FIT Team – will join community members and partners to highlight the importance of healthy living.

The 2012 NBA FIT Team includes Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Bobcats. NBA FIT Live Healthy Week will feature grassroots programs and events, special oncourt apparel, and in-arena and online programming designed to inspire kids and families across the country to live active, healthy lives. Throughout the week, NBA players will wear special oncourt attire, including adidas NBA FIT shooting shirts and blue headbands and wristbands. In addition, NBA and NBA D-League teams and players will host events in-arena and in their communities featuring healthy activities and fun for the whole family.

“NBA FIT Live Healthy Week is a great way to help motivate fans of all ages to stay active and maintain a healthy diet,” said Griffin, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. “As a professional athlete and an NBA FIT Team member, I know how important it is for me to exercise and eat well, and I encourage our fans to make healthy, active living a priority.”

Throughout Live Healthy Week, fans are encouraged to set personal health goals and can get tips from the pros online at www.nba.com/nbafit. The website, which was created in partnership with Nemours’ KidsHealth.org and the American College of Sports Medicine, features a variety of health and wellness information to inspire fans to make positive fitness and nutritional choices. NBA/WNBA FIT also works with the Let’s Move! campaign, which first lady Michelle Obama established to provide communities nationwide with resources to help kids eat healthy and get active.

NBA FIT Live Healthy Week highlights include:

  • The tip off of the 2012 Dribble to Stop Diabetes campaign, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and Sanofi US, featuring a new roster of campaign ambassadors and a brand new PSA.
  • NBA and NBA D-League players will wear special edition adidas NBA FIT shooting shirts throughout the week. NBA FIT T-shirts by adidas will also be available for purchase at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
  • “NBA/WNBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish presented by Pepperidge Farm® Flavor Blasted® Goldfish® crackers” national finalists will be announced. The 12 boys and girls, ages 7-12, will compete in the Finals at 2012 NBA All-Star Jam Session in Orlando.

To learn more about the NBA/WNBA FIT program, please log on to www.nba.com/nbafit.



NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FAMILY TIPS OFF ANNUAL NBA D-LEAGUE CARES WEEK OF SERVICE

-- Teams and Players Give Back in Their Local Communities in a Continuing Effort to Increase Fan Awareness about the Importance of Service --

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2011 – The NBA Development League, its teams and players held the 2011 NBA D-League Cares Week of Service from Nov. 14-23, 2011, hosting a variety of hands-on service events in an effort to give back to youth, families and communities while increasing fan awareness about the importance of service. Look back on the Week of Service below:



NBA D-League Cares is the league’s social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA and WNBA’s long tradition of addressing important social issues with a focus in the areas of Education, Youth and Family Development, and Health & Wellness.

MISSION

Through year round programs, the NBA D-League strives to provide unparalleled access to the players, coaches and staff in order to improve the quality of life in our communities. By addressing important social issues such as education, youth and family development, and health and wellness, the NBA D-League, its teams, and players support a range of programs and initiatives that strive to positively impact children and families in all communities.

EDUCATION

The NBA D-League is dedicated to supporting programs that stress the importance of education and provide the necessary resources and safe places to foster growth. By involving our teams, players and staff locally, the NBA D-League continues its support of schools, libraries and community-based organizations in their concerted effort to open doors to success in children’s lives.

YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

The NBA D-League, its teams and players have a commitment to making sure that children and families worldwide have the necessary safe places and resources to fulfill their dreams. In an effort to support their development, the NBA D-League supports this commitment by creating places where kids and families can live, learn or play, such as libraries, computer rooms and basketball courts. NBA D-League players encourage kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and use the game of basketball is used as a tool to teach valuable life skills such as sportsmanship, respect, teamwork, and more. NBA D-League teams actively pursue volunteer activities in the community, including hands-on service projects schools and local non-profit organizations.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The NBA Development League strives to develop a love of basketball in youth as an extension of the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Program in each of our 16 local markets. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.