“Jr NBA Day was one of the greatest days of Ashlyn’s life. She loved every minute and is always so encouraged by being with her BllS friends…Bridge II Sports has been a life changer for her. Thank you!”
Nothing could have prepared us for what an incredible day this was going to be!
Bridge II Sports was honored to represent wheelchair basketball on February 15 at Jr. NBA Day during NBA All-Star weekend in Charlotte.
The event, presented by Under Armour, provided the opportunity for over 1500 local youth to take the court with NBA All-Stars and NBA/WNBA Legends in a day of basketball skills clinics at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Highlights of the day for Team PRIDE:
Dennis Smith Jr. of the New York Knicks and Slam Dunk participant (he’s the guy that was flying over J Cole!) spent his afternoon in a sportchair hoopin’ right along side our players.
.@Dennis1SmithJr joins @Bridge2Sports at #JrNBADay! #ATTSlamDunk #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/9QsHRbn4a6
— Jr. NBA (@jrnba) February 15, 2019
Team PRIDE players received a surprise visit from the Governor of North Carolina!
Governor Roy Cooper spent time talking to our young players about wheelchair basketball and was presented with an official team shirt making him the newest fan of the PRIDE.
Jillian taught UCONN/WNBA Legend Swin Cash the game from a chair and then they teamed up to school the Chicago Bulls mascot- Benny- on the court!
Ashley Battle, former UCONN stand out and WNBA player, and NBA Legend Theo Ratliff joined us on the court playing in sports wheelchairs.
NBA Great Glen Rice talked to our kids and mesmerized coach Mike with stories from his time with the Lakers.
PRIDE players Jaden and Olivia even got to meet Steph Curry!
We are so PROUD of our BIIS PRIDE and their families for making this day, and wheelchair basketball, a priority in their lives. As we work to change the way the world views disability, events like these prove that it happens one experience at a time as we realize we are all athletes no matter how we play.
Much thanks to the great NBA and Jr. NBA staff for the invite and making sure that everyBODY played.
We made the news! Check out ABC11 Bridget Conden’s coverage of Bridge II Sports at Jr. NBA Day