Lakers’ Walton, Perkins help youngsters in Brazil

While the Lakers gear up for October and their upcoming season, with the recent signings of point guards Derek Fisher and Coby Karl, many of the team’s players were in Brazil July 31-Aug. 3 helping youngsters make their basketball dreams come true.

As part of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) program, founded in 2001 by the NBA, the International Basketball Federation and the Brazilian Basketball Federation, Lakers Forward Luke Walton and former NBA legend Sam Perkins joined more than 30 other NBA coaches and team members in Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to the Lakers official Web site. The professional athletes act as mentors for 50 youth, ages 19 and younger. This year’s four-day camp provided guidance for the teens – who were selected from more than 17 countries and territories across Latin America and the Caribbean – regarding basketball and life in general.

Since 2001, BWB has helped more than 1,000 young athletes from more than 100 countries strengthen their basketball skills with simultaneous participation in motivational and life-skills seminars that promote education, leadership, character development and healthy living. HIV and AIDS education is a major component of the seminars and a large emphasis is placed on embracing diversity.

Now back in LA, the team continues to gear up for what’s next. Want to get involved? Check out Los Angeles Lakers tickets at StubHub.com.

Posted in General on August 20, 2007

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