Basketball clinic teaches local youths to embrace nonviolence

By Colette M. JENKINS

Beacon Journal staff writer

AKRON

Eleven-year-old Jordan Huling gave up sleeping in on Presidents Day to play basketball.

“I just came to have some fun and learn some new basketball skills, but it’s called ‘Shoot Basketballs Not People,’ so I was thinking they want us to play more basketball and not kill people,” said Jordan, a fifth-grader at Akron’s Case Elementary School. “It makes sense because if you’re occupied doing something positive, it keeps you from doing things that are wrong. Basketball takes a team effort, so it teaches you how to get along with other people and work together.”

Shoot Basketballs Not People is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization that aims to do exactly what Jordan discerned – teach fundamental basketball skills while promoting healthy lifestyle choices. It also works to increase participation in sports and to help parents support children in sports and in the classroom.

The nonprofit brought its basketball clinic to Akron for the fourth time in as many years on Monday and attracted nearly 250 students, who participated in activities at the Buchtel Community Learning Center. The Elementary School Clinic, which ran from 8 a.m. to noon, included 162 children. The Middle/High School Clinic ran from 1 to 5 p.m. and attracted 85 registrants.

Garry Mills, who founded Shoot Basketballs Not People (www.JoinSBNP.org), left his job as an investment banker and used his own money to start the effort in 2011 (and officially established the 501(c)3 in 2013). He was motivated by his love of basketball and a desire to see the killings stop in Philadelphia’s toughest neighborhoods.

“The goal is to target the most poverty-stricken areas and take our message of nonviolence, being good citizens, staying away from the judicial system and staying positive to the children living there to let them know there are people who care about them,” said Mills, 33. “Our kids are vitally important and I’m committed to helping them. That’s why I stepped out on faith and prayed up. This is where my heart is. I want to create a legacy of nonviolence and build up communities.”

The program runs year-round in Philadelphia. After developing a relationship with Akron native Steve King, the program was first held in Akron on Presidents Day in 2013. It was hosted at Innes school. It moved to Buchtel last year.

King, who now lives in Columbus and serves as regional director for the nonprofit, said the clinic is about more than basketball.

“We also teach them about sportsmanship, teamwork, health and nutrition and how to behave on and off the court,” King said. “We want to help them build confidence and show them how to interact in a positive way with peers and mentors.”

King said the goal is to expand the program into other cities and possibly extend the Akron program throughout the year, like in Philadelphia.

The free clinic was sponsored by the Young Black Professionals Coalition in collaboration with the DJ Mr. King, Essentials Basketball Academy and MKU Athletics.

“We want to be relevant in our community and Shoot Basketballs Not People is a great way to reach young people and their parents,” said Eric Fletcher, president of the Young Black Professionals Coalition (www.YBPC.info). “Using basketball as a vehicle to educate children about the dangers of violence is also a great way to promote a sense of community and social responsibility.”