OKC Thunder, YMCA Renew Basketball League Partnership For 5 Years

The Oklahoma City Thunder had an exciting announcement; a renewed partnership with the YMCA.

The team said its efforts with the YMCA Thunder Basketball League have played a huge role in bringing basketball to kids across the state. The Thunder and the YMCA's partnership will continue for at least five more years. They're entering their sixth year having already served over 35,000 kids, and they say they're excited to serve even more.

"The power of sports is big," said Michelle Matthews, Director of Fan Development and Retail for the Thunder. "These organizations understand that."

She said the team wants to make sure nothing stands between a kid and the court.

"Lowering the barrier so all kids can participate in sports and feel like a pro while doing it is what the YMCA Thunder Basketball League is all about," she said.

The YMCA Thunder Basketball League started in 2017, and they're officially locked in for five more years.

"The last two words of our mission is "for all" and that's truly what this league is. Every kid across the state has an opportunity to participate," said Chris Berry, with the YMCA.

He also said youth sports can be life-changing.

"Learning how to work with their neighbors, how to be good teammates, teaching them how to win and lose properly, having that really sets them up for success in life,” he explained.

"It's all about developing the characteristics on and off the court," added Matthews.

On top of teaching the young athletes valuable skills, the organizations say it's also just a lot of fun.

"How many kids are going to be able to say 'Hey I got to play with an NBA player, I got to be coached by an NBA player,' Very few," said Berry.

Young athletes need someone to look up to.

"It comes along with that jersey which is a replica of what our guys wear out on the floor," said Matthews.

So, they can look good, feel good, and play even better.