Children from the Houston Park and Recreation of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, ages 4 to 18, attended the opening ceremony and festival of activities. Cynthia Cooper, Houston Rockets Television Studio Analyst and Former Houston Comet player, was the emcee for the event. Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Cook, Assistant Coach for the Houston Comets, conducted a basketball clinic for the players. The children also enjoyed the Rockets Tundra Zone, which are huge inflatables of interactive basketball games and activities. Houston Park and Recreation Council Member, Ada Edwards and Tracy McGrady officially tipped off the season with a half court jump ball in the opening game. McGrady has taken ownership of the league by lending his name to the HPARD as the TeamMac Houston Rockets Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Basketball League. The league is underway at parks citywide and offers free opportunities for kids to learn and develop their basketball skills in a safe, positive, and fun environment with their peers.

Photo: Program speakers pose with youth league participants. Back Row (left to right): Joe Turner, Director of HPARD; Cynthia Cooper, Former Houston Comets; Ada Edwards, Houston City Council Member, District D; Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets; and Sarah Joseph, Houston Rockets.