76ers Join "Toyota Project Rebound"

by Ricki Ptakowski

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The Philadelphia 76ers teamed up with Toyota and the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation to dedicate a new Reading & Learning Center and a new outdoor basketball court at the Athletic Recreation Center in Philadelphia on Thursday.

As a part of Toyota Project Rebound, an unprecedented, season-long community outreach initiative created by NBA and Toyota, Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael Nutter, 76ers players Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, along with 76ers Legend World B. Free and Sonny Hill were on hand to help dedicate the center and then host a basketball clinic on the brand new court."It’s not just about basketball, but giving back to the community,” Andre Iguodala said. “I jumped to be a part of something so positive."

The new improvements to the Athletic Recreation Center including a Reading & Learning Center complete with computers, books, chairs, and reading areas. The refurbishment's to the outdoor court included two brand new surfaces, new backboards and nets. The two courts were painted in Sixers colors, and don Sixers Logos at mid-court and on the backboards themselves.

Mayor Nutter said the Sixers have long had a presence in the Philadelphia communities.

"This is the kind of support we need throughout Philadelphia. This is obvious to some extent a focus on sports, but it’s really about community building and teamwork and teaching young people how to get along with each other," Mayor Nutter said. "It gives them an outlet, it keeps them off the streets which at times can be dangerous, and teaches them the importance of staying involved in their surrounding communities."

During the clinic Iguodala and Williams taught the children the importance of basketball basics. They went through shooting and dribbling drills with every child.

"It’s good to just give back to the community. Obvious we use our influence on kids to try and get positive messages across. For Andre and I to come out is huge for this community," Lou Williams said about his opportunity to help the youths of Philadelphia.

Toyota Project Rebound is a community initiative established by the NBA and Toyota. The program includes 15 hands-on community service projects that will be hosted by the NBA and WNBA teams, and will include court refurbishment's, the creation of Learn & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects providing youth safe places to live, learn, or play.