On October 20th, the New York Knicks’ youth team, alongside former NBA star Larry Johnson, hosted a free basketball training camp for Chinese-American youth in Brooklyn. This event, which attracted approximately 150 young participants from diverse backgrounds, was organized by State Senator Kevin Parker and the New York Chinese Cultural and Sports Association (NYCCSA) after months of planning.
The camp took place at FDR High School, located at 5799 19th Avenue in Brooklyn. In her speech, Senator Parker expressed her excitement about facilitating this initiative, emphasizing that such training camps not only teach basketball skills and sportsmanship but also offer children a joyful weekend experience. She extended her gratitude to the Knicks’ youth team and the NYCCSA for their support in organizing the event. Additionally, she announced a $3,000 grant for the NYCCSA, encouraging them to continue their efforts in promoting sports activities within the community.
Under the guidance of several Knicks youth coaches and Larry Johnson, the registered participants engaged in various basketball drills. Johnson, a former star with the Knicks, received a warm welcome from those in attendance. He greeted the crowd with a friendly “你好” (hello in Mandarin), took photos with the young players, and signed autographs. Johnson stressed that the camp aimed to help participants improve their basketball skills and encouraged all aspiring players to train diligently to enhance their abilities.
Zhao Liyan, president of the NYCCSA, described the event as a rare opportunity for youth to learn basketball. He credited the successful execution of the camp to the months of preparation with Senator Parker’s office. With participation from 150 children between the ages of 6 and 14, the camp reached full capacity. Zhao also expressed his appreciation for the $3,000 funding provided by Senator Parker, assuring that it would be allocated for community sports initiatives to benefit the local area.
