Sports can unite young people from diverse cultural, national and economic backgrounds. One of the cornerstone projects of my years with the NBA is the Basketball Without Borders program. The NBA, together with FIBA and its federations, has worked together to provide young athletes from all corners of the globe with the opportunity to discuss important social issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in addition to receiving instruction from the best basketball players in the league. Since the inaugural camp in 2001, Basketball without Borders has expanded to nine countries and territories on five continents. The program has featured more than 160 NBA players, coaches and team personnel from all 30 NBA teams as camp coaches for more than 1,000 young athletes from 100 countries and territories.
Basketball without Borders also staged clinics for young athletes in the Special Olympics, an organization that the NBA communications and media relations department has supported since 1981.
Terry Lyons is available to assist you with all of your community service initiatives.
Should you wish to partner with Lyons' favorite charity, please consider a donation to the V Foundation, in honor of the late, great Jim Valvano.
