West Side youth basketball draft kicks off summer-long program 

 

By Jane DeRonne

 

More than 240 young people got to see their names in lights on one of the city’s most famous scoreboards recently when the United Center hosted the inaugural West Haven Safe Summer Basketball League Draft.

The draft kicked off the West Haven Sports Club’s summer basketball program. In attendance were participants and their families as well as local celebrities including former Chicago Bull Bob Love.

During the draft, organizers assigned 240 youngsters and young adults to 24 teams scheduled to compete throughout the summer, with 12 games each week for ten weeks. The games take place at Crane High School.

Sponsored by the Chicago Bulls, the Near West Side Community Development Corp. (NWSCDC), Brinshore Development, and the Adams Academy LAC among others, the program offers more than just a safe streets program.

“The young people are excited to play ball this summer,” said Earnest Gates, NWSCDC executive director. “But this is about so much more than that. We don’t just want to keep kids off the streets—in the Sports Club they’ll connect with each other and get the tools they need to be successful in all aspects of their lives.” 

Gates explained that, while the focus is on sportsmanship and fun, the program works to improve all aspects of young peoples’ lives. In addition to getting regular exercise and building relationships on the court, the teams receive a mentoring session in a classroom before each game to learn life skills and gain access to the academic, health, and other resources they need.

“We’re proud to support such a great program,” said Howard Pizer, executive vice president of the United Center. “We all have a stake in stopping violence, and the Sports Club provides a fun place to go and access to resources that will last far beyond the summer.” 

At the end of the summer, the program awards three sportsmanship trophies. Each bears the name of a neighborhood youth killed by gun violence: Blair Holt, Reuben Ivy, and Ben Wilson.

The NWSCDC was established in 1988 to develop affordable housing and to organize and provide support services to low and moderate income residents in the West Haven community.