Twenty young basketball enthusiasts from Voorhees and Berlin experienced the thrill of stepping onto an NBA court at the Wells Fargo Center on Nov. 24.
The trip to the Philadelphia 76ers’ home court was organized by Terry Myers, founder of his eponymous Youth Basketball Association. The participants are in grades two through eight, 11 from Voorhees and nine from Berlin.
Myers, a passionate advocate for youth development through sports, emphasized the profound impact such experiences can have on young minds.
“Teamwork fosters a sense of belonging and helps break down social barriers,” he shared. “Playing together develops empathy, as kids learn to rely on and support one another. Sports have the power to unite and build a culture of mutual respect and understanding. By using sports as a bridge, we can reduce bullying and create friendships that uplift youth in and beyond the playing field.”
Myers – whose adult social sports company has played on the Wells Fargo Center court for years – was inspired to extend his love of basketball to young players.
“Basketball has always been a passion of mine, and for the kids, you can truly see the excitement in their eyes when they see the floor, especially when they score a basket on an actual NBA court,” he explained. “When school is closed during the season, I coordinate with my reps to make it happen.
“We are always hosting events for both youth and adults, with the goal of bringing new faces together over the common love for sports.”
Parents and participants alike praised the event’s positive impact on the community and the lasting memories it created.
“Terry’s camps and leagues provide such a positive and welcoming environment,” said Voorhees parent Sara Cohen Phillips. “He has this ‘rising tide lifts all’ approach that brings out the best in kids both on and off the court.”
Her son, Parker, echoed those sentiments.
“Training with Terry is the best,” he enthused. “His groups are always so much fun. It’s not just the basketball either. He always gives such a great workout and there’s never any drama. It’s all about everyone getting better.
“Getting to play on an NBA floor was such a cool experience that I’ll never forget.”
Berlin student Aidan Votto shared his appreciation for Myers’ dedication to youth.
“I’ve known Terry since I was in first grade and was part of his basketball CER class at my school,” he remembered. “Terry is always trying to do things for us kids. The Sixers event he puts together is really fun. It … gives us the ability to do something special by getting to play basketball on a professional court.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Aidan added. “I really appreciate that Terry does things like this to bring kids together, to play and learn that even though we live in different places, we’re not that different.”
To learn more about Terry Myers Entertainment and future youth and adult events, visit www.terrymyersentertainment.net.
