SoCal Military Learns Ball Skills From Lakers, Helped By Pechanga

From Pechanga Resort & Casino: More than 150 U.S. military living and stationed in Southern California received a basketball experience of a lifetime during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason. Groups of 50 service men and women were invited to participate in three basketball clinics hosted by the Lakers and Pechanga Resort Casino. The military members received tips on shooting, dribbling, passing and scoring form Lakers legends Robert Horry, James Worthy and Metta World Peace. Each clinic took place before the preseason games at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego on Sept. 30, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 2 and at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Oct. 6. With their families able to watch the clinics from the stadium stands, military members in the one-hour clinics receive free t-shirts, tickets to a Lakers game, and amazing lifetime memories.

“Hoops for Troops for me, it’s a good way to build camaraderie through the military branches, and it gives us a great opportunity to do things outside of our routine. When we get opportunities like this, we don’t turn them down,” said Nathan Moore of the United States Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Originally from Stow, Ohio, about 10 miles away from Akron, Moore told those gathered he has followed LeBron James’ basketball career since James was in high school, and was a dream come true to see him play in person thanks to Hoops for Troops.

“We deeply appreciate the tireless work of our military and this is one small way we can show them we support them,” said Jared Munoa, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “Over the last several years, these basketball clinics have brought smiles, tears, hugs and most of all, a sense of pride in our community and military. The clinics help show our service men and women how many people care about them and value their dedication to protecting our country."

“The fact that Pechanga always steps up and does a lot with the Lakers, those two brands together are huge and when you put them together and come out here and enjoy this moment, they step on this court knowing that NBA players and legends and future hall of famers are going to be playing here is great,” said Robert Horry, Lakers Hoops for Troops coach. “But the big part of this is that all these military guys and girls are going to get to come to a regular season game.”

“Our Hoops for Troops Clinics with Pechanga are opportunities to give back to Service Members that we truly cherish. Providing an evening off, to break away from the grind, and to have some Showtime fun with the Lakers is an honor. With experiences happening both on and off the court, we want Service Members to know we are here to support them and appreciate their sacrifices.” said Matt Makovec, the Lakers Director of Community Relations.

This was the fourth season the Lakers and Pechanga Resort Casino hosted the Hoops for Troops program. This year, the partnership also put together the Junior Lakers program in which children of military members learn professional basketball tips from Lakers coaches.

Photos courtesy of Pechanga Resort, LA Lakers