NORTH LAS VEGAS — A water leak years ago had left the basketball court at the James Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada in poor condition, with the original wood destroyed and replaced by an artificial surface. On Friday, that changed thanks to a partnership between A’ja Wilson’s foundation and the 2K Foundations.
The Las Vegas Aces star and Ronnie 2K, the face of the NBA 2K video game franchise, helped unveil a new indoor hardwood court at the clubhouse, complete with fresh logos and a new scoreboard. The court features the A’ja Wilson Foundation logo, Wilson’s Nike logo, and the 2K Foundations logo.
“When we had the opportunity to put a real basketball floor back in, this was the ideal place for it,” said Andy Bischel, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. He noted the James Clubhouse, built in 1959, is the first club in Southern Nevada and the entire state.
Wilson, a multiple-time WNBA champion, MVP, and Olympic gold medalist, said her biggest accomplishments are off the court. “I feel like that’s the biggest accolade of them all, being a tangible role model for them and having them understand that they can do the same thing that I’m doing, in their own way,” Wilson told the Review-Journal.
She recalled having role models growing up and said becoming one herself is “a pinch me moment.”
The event, held during International Women’s Month, included a skills challenge led by Wilson, who cheered on children as they competed. Winners received a WNBA ball autographed by Wilson.
“Years of playing video games, it wasn’t supposed to be a platform to grow youth sports, but the 2K Foundations has really become proud to build basketball and give back to the community,” said Ronnie Singh (Ronnie 2K), digital marketing director for 2K Games. “I was once one of these kids, so it’s always great for us to do these events.”
Wilson, who was featured on one of the covers of this year’s NBA 2K game, emphasized the importance of providing a safe space for youth. “Just giving them an opportunity to dream, let this be a vehicle to their dreams or their goals,” she said. “If a kid leaves here and is like, ‘I just want to play basketball again another day,’ … I am so happy with that, whether I touch one heart or 200.”
