3rd Annual ‘Ballers and Badges’ Basketball Event on MLK Day
A Brooklyn Center nonprofit is helping kids get active on Martin Luther King Day with its third annual “Ballers and Badges” event.
It is a co-ed youth basketball clinic, and a 3-on-3 tournament. The nonprofit Hawa’s Wings and the NextGen Legacy Foundation put it on, in partnership with Brooklyn Center police and firefighters, as well as the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
Korboi “KB” Balla started the tournament in north Minneapolis two years ago with about 50 players. It has only grown since, with more than 100 players when it was moved to Brooklyn Center last year. Balla said they are expecting more than 200 players this year.
First responders — including Balla, who works as a Brooklyn Center firefighter — will be on site. At the end of the day, kids will play officers in a friendly game. Balla said the whole event is designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and kids in the neighborhood.
“I think it’s just building that community, you know? Building the community around our youth, our first responders, adults. Just kind of having a place where everybody is trying to know each other,” Balla said.
A kid at last year’s skills clinic practices with a coach. All of the coaches and first responders volunteer their time for the event on Monday.
Registration and setup begins at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20 at Brooklyn Center High School. A quick skill clinic starts at 11 a.m., and the 3-on-3 tournament begins at noon.
Kids ages 10-18 can participate in the tournament. People of all ages are welcome.
People can register day-of, but Balla said registering for the tournament by Friday, Jan. 17, is preferred. A link to sign up is available on Signupgenius and on Google Forms.
Kids who participate will get a jersey, lunch and some prizes. Balla said the clinic is fully funded by its partners, so donations are welcome. Crowdfunding is accepted on Giving Hive.
