Playing basketball is always better than doing homework and on February 26 selected Boys and Girls Club Jr. Suns teams had the unique opportunity to practice on the Suns’ practice court.

“It was a club wide competition between teams,” explains John Patris-Browne the Sports Fitness and Recreation Coordinator from the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Club. “Each team competed for a chance to practice on the Suns court. Teams were chosen by raising the most money and receiving pledges for a Shoot-out contest where each Jr. Sun took 50 free-throw shots.

“It’s neat to set a goal for kids to raise money, with the reward being that they get to practice like their favorite players on the Suns’ practice court,” said one Jr. Suns parent.

At the end of the competition, teams from the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Clubs were chosen to play ball on the Suns’ practice court at the US Airways Center.

Each team practiced for forty minutes, which concluded with a free-throw competition or a game of bump-out to see which team member would walk home with some Suns’ memorabilia.

After a hard practice each team toured the Suns locker room. The excitement showed on their faces as players peaked into Amare, Steve and Shawn’s lockers. The lucky Jr. Suns also caught a glance into the coaches’ office, weight room and training room.

As the Jr. Suns exited the locker room they gushed over the experience. It was clear that this is an experience that these Jr. Suns are going to remember forever.