Through first-of-its kind partnership, Nets and Liberty will bring basketball clinics to NYC public schools free-of-charge during gym periods
–Click HERE for photos and video of first clinic at P.S. 001 in Sunset Park ft. New York City Public Schools Chancellor David C. Banks, Nets Head Coach Jacque Vaughn, Nets Forward Cam Johnson, Liberty Center Jonquel Jones, and Liberty Assistant Coaches Roneeka Hodges and Zach O’Brien–
BROOKLYN (March 22, 2023) – The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty are expanding their community-based youth basketball clinics through a new partnership with New York City Public Schools. Through this first-of-its-kind partnership, the Nets and Liberty will provide basketball clinics free-of-charge to NYC public elementary and middle schools in Brooklyn during gym periods where students will learn basketball fundamentals, along with critical off-the-court life and leadership skills. The teams were previously operating after-school clinics at schools in Brooklyn on an individual basis.
The expansion of the Nets and Liberty youth basketball clinic program brings the excitement of the NBA and WNBA to New York City Public School students while simultaneously providing them with physical and mental conditioning, and social health benefits associated with regular group physical activity. Every week, the Nets and Liberty will host 20 clinics at various schools that will be operated by youth basketball coaches from the teams. New York City Public Schools will identify participating schools on a rolling basis throughout 2023 and over the course of the year, all elementary and middle schools in Brooklyn will have a chance to participate in the program, reaching approximately 50,000 youth by the end of 2023.
“We have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on young individuals as our clinic programs not only teach basketball fundamentals but are also designed to provide critical life and leadership skills off the court and in the classroom,” said Sam Zussman, CEO of BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. “The Nets and Liberty are excited to deepen our relationship with New York City Public Schools and play a more meaningful role in the community and the lives of its residents.”
“Innovative partnerships that support students on a journey to becoming well-rounded citizens are a vital part of any effective school system,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Chancellor David C. Banks. “It is an honor to work alongside BSE Global to help foster leadership skills and a lifetime of healthy habits, and inspire students to put the values that they develop to great use off the court.”
The partnership tipped off Wednesday, March 22 with the first clinic at P.S. 001 in Sunset Park featuring remarks from Chancellor Banks and Zussman. Additionally, Nets Head Coach Jacque Vaughn, Liberty Assistant Coaches Roneeka Hodges and Zach O’Brien, Nets forward Cam Johnson, and Liberty center Jonquel Jones were in attendance to show support and celebrate the launch of the program where they also engaged with student participants during the first clinic. Click HERE for photos and video from the event, including interviews with aforementioned participants along with footage of the press conference in full.
BSE Global and New York City Public Schools first partnered together in 2021 to launch The Basquiat Project, an educational arts program funded by The Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund. Following the success of the program, both groups began discussing other opportunities to work together and decided to expand the Nets’ and Liberty’s long-standing community-based youth basketball clinic programs.
ABOUT BSE GLOBAL
BSE Global is the parent company of Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, its NBA G League team the Long Island Nets, and its NBA 2K League affiliate NetsGC. BSE Global also provides shared services to the New York Liberty, the WNBA sister team of the Brooklyn Nets. Through programming, marketing, sales, and operations, BSE Global delivers dynamic content and experiences for fans and audiences.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK LIBERTY
The New York Liberty was founded on October 30, 1996 and is one of three original franchises remaining in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Liberty have made four WNBA Finals appearances in its 26-year history. Owned by Joe and Clara Tsai, owners of the Brooklyn Nets, the Liberty play its home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. For more information, please visit www.nyliberty.com.
ABOUT NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is the largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 900,000 students in over 1,800 schools. The department is responsible for the education of children from 3K through 12th grade and is overseen by the New York City Schools Chancellor, who is appointed by the Mayor of New York City. The NYCPS’ mission is to ensure that each student graduates on a pathway to a rewarding career and long-term economic security, equipped to be a positive force for change. To achieve this goal, the department sets rigorous academic standards, provides resources and support to schools and teachers, and offers a wide range of programs and services to students and families. New York City Public Schools is dedicated to providing all students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life and building a brighter future for the city of New York.