They may be in grade school, but some YMCA Thunder Basketball League players got a taste of what it’s like to be a pro.
On September 12 at the Mitch Park Y, 40 young players gathered for the Love’s YMCA Youth Media Day, hosted in partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The event gave participants a full pro-athlete media experience — complete with photoshoots, press conferences and more. It also featured appearances from Thunder centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Thomas Sorber, as well as Rumble the Bison, the Thunder Girls and the Storm Chasers.
“I always have a lot of joy coming back and seeing the kids,” Hartenstein said. “Being around the community a lot, seeing some of the same kids over and over again. I think that’s how you really make a difference.”
But it wasn’t all about the bright lights — kids got to show off their skills on the court, too. Participants ran through skill drills and received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be coached by Hartenstein and Sorber during scrimmages.
“Our basketball leagues are about a lot more than just learning the game — we want to build character and boost confidence,” YMCA Sports Chair Chris Berry said. “And it’s special for these kids to see their heroes take the time to invest in them. It’s something that will stick with them long after they’re done playing here at the Y.”
