The Los Angeles Lakers hosted a field day and backpack giveaway for students from Crete Academy and Carr Elementary School. Showtime Laker Michael Cooper was a surprise guest, giving youth advice while joining in on their field day activities.
“This is a great event the Los Angeles Lakers are doing for our community,” Cooper said. “Sometimes it takes a good mind, body and spirit to be a good person and when the Lakers are in the community, it makes life better.”
The Lakers hosted the event as a part of their TEAM UP initiative that allows staff members a chance to give back to the community. The youth were divided into four groups and competed in several activities, including an ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament, a relay race, and a Hula Hoop relay.
“Being here is really fun, all my friends are here,” Crete Academy student Cahnyi Dyer said. “[The Lakers] gave us hats and they gave us glasses and these shirts.”
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Cooper shared words of wisdom with the youth, telling them his five D’s concept. Cooper noted how the concept was important for different aspects of life.
“It’s called determination, dedication, desire, discipline, decision making,” Cooper said. “I try to tell kids in saying that the five D’s will help them on and off the court. Athletics is a small portion of who they are.”
Cooper also got involved in some of the field day activities before helping Lakers Youth Foundation executive director Kiesha Nix stuff backpacks for the students. In each backpack, there were crayons, markers, highlighters, glue sticks, and notebooks.
Students also received Lakers gear, including a branded folder and water bottle along with a toy basketball and foam finger.
“I like meeting [Cooper], he played with the Showtime Lakers and he’s the NBA history player,” said Carr Elementary school student Aiden Bolden. “He’s really tall and he likes to dance.”
Cooper will have his no. 21 jersey retired on January 13 when the Lakers battle the San Antonio Spurs. He helped the Lakers win five championships during his 12-year career. He also had success as a coach, guiding the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championship titles.
“I kind of encompassed all basketball, what it has to do here in Los Angeles, at the professional level and that means a lot to me,” Cooper said. “Dr. Buss and the Lakers have been very significant in the growth of not only the NBA but the WNBA and I’m glad and proud to be a part of it.”
