Exhibition Game Part of 2012 All-Star Weekend Festivities
Minneapolis/St. Paul – The NBA and Special Olympics today announced the first-ever NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game which will take place as part of the 2012 NBA All-Star weekend festivities in Orlando and will feature Timberwolves rookie forward Derrick Williams. With support from The Coca-Cola Company, the game will tip off on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session on Sunday, Feb. 26, and will feature 12 Special Olympics athletes from across the country, along with NBA Legends Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler and Dikembe Mutombo, current WNBA players, and celebrities. In addition to Williams, NBA players Kevin Durant and Kemba Walker will also participate in the game.
The exhibition game will combine athletes with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates to showcase the power of Special Olympics’ Unified Sports® program, which helps unite communities and foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion. In addition, as part of the NBA Cares All-Star Community Caravan, NBA/WNBA legends and players will host a clinic for local Special Olympics athletes at Jam Session immediately following the game.
"I'm honored to be joining these incredible Special Olympic athletes for the inaugural Unity Game," said Williams, who will be participating in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 24. "I looking forward to participating in All-Star Weekend and this event will make it even more memorable."
“The NBA is excited to expand our longtime partnership with Special Olympics by hosting the Unity Sports basketball game as part of our NBA All-Star festivities,” said NBA Senior Vice President of Community Relations Todd Jacobson. “The NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game is about having fun, promoting fitness and bringing people together.”
“We are proud to have this unique opportunity to show the world the incredible talents of our Special Olympics athletes, playing alongside basketball legends from the NBA and WNBA,” said Peter Wheeler, Special Olympics’ Chief Officer of Strategic Properties. “This is another great moment in our long-standing partnership with the NBA and we hope that this Unity Sports basketball game shows NBA fans the power of sports to unite us all.”
NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game roster:
East West
Marc Campbell, ON Jesse Burnett, CO
Keyuana Davis, FL Jackie Buxton, OR
Kerri Gilroy, MA Steve Lynn, OK
Rickie Kelly, WI Anthony Nunn, MN
Andre Larry, FL Sean Vigil, UT
Tony Payne, TN Jennifer Wardlow, NC
These 12 Special Olympics athletes and their families will be treated to an unforgettable NBA All-Star experience including dinner with an NBA legend, in-arena recognition at NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, and tickets to the NBA All-Star Game.
The NBA’s global partnership with Special Olympics began more than 30 years ago when the league helped to introduce basketball as a new sport to the organization. The NBA has since provided sponsorship to Special Olympics basketball tournaments, created public service announcements featuring NBA players, and participated in major Special Olympics events. In addition, the NBA's Basketball without Borders program has featured international clinics for Special Olympics athletes in China, Puerto Rico, Russia, France, Greece, Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico.
I am so excited to go and be part of this! I am Jackie Buxton's coach and have the honor of watching her play in Orlando with all the "greats!"
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