With tip off for the 2016-17 NBA season just around the corner, the Los Angeles Lakers and their partner, Pechanga Resort & Casino, are already in regular season form. Friday, October 21st, marked the conclusion of a series of three basketball clinics held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, and the Honda Center in Anaheim, as part of the 2016 Hoops for Troops program. These clinics continued to allow the Lakers the opportunity to actively engage with members of the United States Air Force, Marines, and Navy both on and off the court. Each clinic hosted 50 Armed Forces servicemen and women, as they participated in a variety of shooting, passing, and ball handling drills, overseen by former Laker, Brian Cook.
The basketball drills at the clinics eventually evolved into small competitions, as each group was split into two opposing teams. Participants then had the chance to win a spot to be the Honorary Team Captain and the Game Ball Delivery person for the following game. The clinics concluded with a final game of knockout, which included every participant on the court and created an electrified atmosphere as family members cheered from the sidelines. In addition to the basketball and competition aspects of the clinics, Cook and the Lakers staff also highlighted the Laker values of teamwork and sportsmanship. At the conclusion of each clinic, military members and their families were able capture their memories on the court and continue making memories by receiving Lakers tickets to the following preseason game.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Pechanga Resort & Casino look forward to Hoops for Troops Week, which will run from Friday, November 4th until Saturday, November 12th. This week will be highlighted by Veteran’s Celebration Night on Tuesday, November 8th as the Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks at STAPLES Center.