By Mark Haynes | Special To The OBSERVER
The Sacramento Kings and Kaiser Permanente took a trip to South Sacramento on Oct. 28 to unveil two newly refurbished Mack Road Valley Hi Community Center basketball courts.
Kings mascot Slamson was on the scene with the Kings Dance Team to create a fun, family-friendly environment. And players Davion Mitchell and Colby Jones hosted a Jr. Kings basketball clinic following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the center, located at 7833 Center Parkway.
“It’s a great cause,” said Jones, a 21-year-old rookie. “I know growing up, we didn’t really have courts like these. So for the kids to have somewhere to go and have fun with their friends, it’s always a great day for that.”
The new courts feature a black and gray design with the Kings’ script logo in the center. These latest refurbishments mark the 17th community courts refurbished by the Kings and the 13th in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It was Jones’ first time being part of such an event, and it didn’t take any convincing to get him to commit to attending.
“I’m glad they asked me to come out here,” Jones said. “Anytime that you’re able to give back to kids. It’s a great time and I’m just blessed to be able to have this opportunity.”
Jones wasn’t alone in his eagerness to create this opportunity for this Sacramento community. Jay Robinson, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento senior vice president and area manager, shared the same sentiment. Before cutting the ribbon, Robinson spoke to the gathered crowd about the joy of working with the Kings to bring this idea to life.
“We’ve been partnering with the Kings for about 10 years now,” Robinson said. “That’s 10 years of providing an aligned vision for communities and 17 or so refurbishments and a lot of other things we do together to improve the community, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
It was a bright, beautiful day, perfect for breaking in two newly refurbished courts, and that’s what the kids did that day after the formalities concluded. They laughed, they played, and nobody went home empty-handed. Children departed with T-shirts, autographs, and memories that will last a lifetime.