The NBA brings joy and hope to people, and basketball inspires millions around the world. Professional sports teams can also make a commitment to social justice and other societal causes, which is how the Sacramento Kings got involved in planning to visit Folsom State Prison in California.
Kings owner Vivek Ranadive explained the team’s decision to get involved in the Play for Justice initiative in a statement.
“We’re proud to be the first participant in the Play for Justice initiative, which is shining a bright light on the unique issues facing incarcerated people in communities around the country,” Ranadive said. “Sports franchises have a unique opportunity to bring about positive change, which is why in the past year, the Kings and the Bucks brought together leaders from across two cities to share best practices and find new solutions to social injustices. This collaboration with REPRESENT JUSTICE is another example of how we can use our platforms for good.”
The Kings organization visited Folsom State Prison on Dec. 12.
Game day
Sacramento Bee reporter Cameron Salerno provided some vivid details in his interesting article that ran in the next day’s newspaper.
“Members of the Sacramento Kings came for a pickup basketball game featuring inmates coached by the NBA team,” Salerno wrote. “To make it happen, steel beams, a scoreboard and tarp cover were brought in to give the court a new look. Bleachers were brought in that held about 300 incarcerated men who got popcorn, cotton candy and water. A DJ and the tap dance group Syncopated Ladies were also brought in as entertainment.
“The loud music and dancers gave the crowd something to cheer for. It was so loud the area vibrated.”
Who were the coaches for this historic pickup game?
Kings players Marvin Bagley and Trevor Ariza.
Additional members of the Kings organization — forward Nemanja Bjelica, GM Vlade Divac and Ranadive — remained on the bench, according to published reports.
As for Sacramento head coach Luke Walton, he got involved in a different way: wearing sneakers and playing for Ariza’s squad, Salerno reported.
What was Ariza’s halftime message, which was directed to the incarcerated crowd that was watching the gme?
“We love and appreciate you guys for letting us in your space,” Ariza was quoted as saying by the Sacramento Bee. “No matter what happens or no matter how much time you have, there’s always an opportunity to get back. You guys are loved and not forgotten about.”
More information on the REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign can be found on its website: https://www.representjustice.org/
“There was a lot of preparation for this event and there were so many moving parts,” Folsom State Prison public information officer Ernie Valencia said, according to the Sacramento Bee. “It’s always worth it to see the smiles on everyone’s faces after an event like this. I thought the whole experience was great and letting people escape their reality for just a few hours was rewarding.”
Additional footage shows Kings coach Luke Walton playing ball at the prison.
