Children from the Nellis Community participate in a basketball clinic sponsored by the NBA in the Warrior Fitness Center July 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. More than 75 children ages 6-15 participated in the clinic taught by NBA/WNBA players Lenny Wilkins, Gary Payton, Jerome Williams, Chris Muillin, Spencer Haywood and Teresa Edwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)
Gary Payton,retired NBA player, instructs youth from the Nellis Air Force Base community during a basketball clinic July 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Payton played on the 1996 and 2000 USA Olympic basketball teams, earning gold medals during both events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)
Gary Payton, retired NBA player, watches youth from the Nellis Air Force Base community catch rebounds during a basketball clinic July 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Payton taught his group of 20 the importance of rebounding in this drill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)
Gary Payton, retired NBA player, coaches chest pass exercises to youth from the Nellis Air Force Base community during a basketball clinic hosted by Hoops for Troops July 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Payton, who set up The Gary Payton Foundation in 1996 to provide safe places for underprivileged youth to participate recreational activities, enjoys giving back to the military and there families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)
NBA Hall of Fame member Lenny Wilkins, along with NBA Star Gary NBA legends Gary Payton, Jerome Williams, Chris Mullin, Spencer Haywood, WNBA legend Teresa Edwards and more than 75 youth from the Nellis Air Force Base community pose for a group photo after completing a basketball clinic at the Warrior Fitness Center July 10 2012, on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Legendary NBA coach Lenny Wilkens led the group of stars who ran the boys and girls through drills after they broke up into four groups and rotated among half-court stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)
by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes
99 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
7/17/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis Warrior Fitness Center basketball court was packed to capacity as more than 100 of Nellis Air Force Base's youth were given the chance to be mentored by six USA Basketball Legends during the Hoops for Troops event July 10, 2012.
USA Legends Lenny Wilkens, Gary Payton, Chris Mullin, Spencer Haywood, Jerome Williams and Teresa Edwards, taught the youth basketball techniques during a one hour basketball clinic here.
For Lenny Wilkens, the coach with the most wins in NBA history, the event provided an opportunity to have a positive impact on today's youth.
"These are legends that their parents might have talked about or saw on TV, but now they're actually out on the court with them -- it can only be positive," Wilkens said. "The legends show the [children] that they care, that they do matter and that if they aspire, they can achieve anything they set their minds to."
Chris Mullin, a member of the 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team known as the "Dream Team," said for him, the experience has just as much of an impact on him as it does the military family members.
"I think it's nice to spend some time with the kids, share some ideas, see the kids smile, and spend some time with their families," said Mullin. "We just appreciate everything the military does for us. That's what it's really all about."
For one hour, the USA Basketball Legends taught the youth fundamentals of dribbling, rebounding, shooting and passing. Throughout the event, the legends took the time to converse and interact with youth participants.
To show their appreciation, the NBA donated 30 basketballs to the Warrior Fitness Center, and the NBA Legends presented an autographed basketball to Maj. Gen. Bill Hyatt, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander.
