In the midst of the grind of the regular season, the Denver Nuggets and their players took time to give back to the community and support youth sports initiatives.
On World Kindness Day, Torrey Craig began the events by hosting eighth graders from Strive Prep at the Pepsi Center. Nuggets’ Strength and Conditioning coach Felipe Eichenberger helped lead the students through warm-up stretches, defensive stance exercises and other aerobic movements such as high-knees, squats and more.
Before the students began their exercises, Craig made sure that each one had a replica headband to wear, just like the veteran forward does each and every game.
“I think it’s extremely important to interact with the kids and teach them how important fitness is,” Craig told Nuggets.com. “For them to be able to interact with an NBA player that is involved with a lot of fitness is great for them.”
The students were also able to ask Craig questions and received pictures and autographs from the Nuggets’ defensive stopper.
Later in the day, Monte Morris and Nuggets Ambassador Ervin Johnson participated in a Jr. Nuggets clinic at Eisenhower Park Rec Center. Morris and Johnson helped students of various ages go through shooting drills, pick-and-roll practice and dynamic stretches.
The children put their new skills and knowledge to good use by playing in some five-on-five games towards the end of the clinic, with Morris and Johnson on hand to provide advice and feedback.
Before receiving pictures and autographs from the two Nuggets, the students were able to ask questions relating to both on-court performance and off-the-court character development.
“It’s important (for kids to ask questions) because you never know, what you say could fix habits in their lives and make them a better person,” Morris said following the event.
The pressure was put on Morris to knock down a free throw with the students creating a loud environment, and once he did, each student received two tickets to a future Nuggets game.
The day was full of events to keep kids active, teach them basketball skills and perhaps most importantly, provide them with the knowledge to live a balanced life on-and-off the court.
“It’s big time for me. I look forward to it every time I come to events like this one,” Morris added. “I know how much it is for an NBA player to come and have an impact on these kids, which is amazing.”