OTISFIELD, MAINE | The 5th Annual NBA “Play for Peace” Basketball Clinic was held on July 31st at the Seeds of Peace Camp in Otisfield. The event brought together NBA players from around the country with Seeds participants from the Middle East.
180 Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian and American Seeds worked together with former Bull’s great BJ Armstrong, Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards, LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, Brian Scalabrine of the Boston Celtics, Jordan Farmar of the LA Lakers and Andrea Stinson of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock.
Over the course of the day, campers worked with the pros on the fundamentals of the game, including passing, shooting, rebounding, and footwork. These activities gave the campers a chance to improve technique, but more importantly they called for young people who might have been enemies at home to become teammates on the court.
“I may be from one place on Earth and my teammate is from another,” pointed out Brian Scalabrine of the Boston Celtics, “but once we get on the court we need to rely on each other to play well and win.” “I may be from one place on Earth and my teammate is from another, but once we get on the court we need to rely on each other to play well and win.”
The players then sat in groups with Seeds campers in a dialogue session that dealt largely with the conflict in the Middle East and how it affects the campers. The players experienced the relationships and respect that have developed between the Seeds as the campers expressed their mutual desire for peace and coexistence.
In a time of escalating violence in the region, Seeds of Peace continues to demonstrate how people can work together towards coexistence and understanding. For LaMarcus Aldridge, the view was similar. “When I look at each and every kid, I see something special. They are very aware of the things that are going on throughout the world and by deciding to attend Seeds of Peace they just might be able to change things in the future.”
The event concluded with a showcase for both players and Seeds. During a Middle Eastern feast at the Camp, Seeds dressed in traditional clothing and shared their own culture with the players through dance and song. In return the players shared their own talents with the much anticipated basketball exhibition where campers and counselors challenged the NBA and WNBA stars to games of Knockout and 5-on-5.
After the session, Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards said: “What’s incredible, though, is that they’re so far ahead of the thinking of the adults in their countries. If they can get the adults to do something like this and understand the other person’s perspective and talk, then I think they can have a lot of changes.”
A special thanks to Arn Tellem, President, Wasserman Media Group Management and Seeds of Peace Board member, for organizing Play For Peace Day.