Team March Shoots Hoops with Los Angeles Lakers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Gross
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs

March Air Reserve Base, Calif.- - On 2 October, approximately 30 Team March members participated in the “Hoops for Troops” clinic held at the Los Angeles Staples Center.  On 6 October, an additional 30 members were hosted in a second “Hoops for Troops” clinic located at the Anaheim Honda Center.  Both clinics involved each participant conducting basketball drills and games with team coaches, along with special guest Metta World Peace (also known as “Ron Artest”).

The National Basketball Association (NBA) Cares organization fosters an initiative involving professional basketball teams, where the teams engage in a year-round effort to honor active service members and their families.  The Los Angeles Lakers is one of those professional basketball teams, who has hosted Team March members for the past few years in their “Hoops for Troops” clinic.  

“The Lakers are my team!” said Senior Airman Patrick Valyan, assigned to the 752 Aero Medical Squadron, as he discovered that he was able to attend a free Lakers game with his family.  In addition to the participation in the clinic, participants were given 4 tickets to a Lakers game as a “thank you” for their service. 

Many participants also expressed their appreciation and feelings towards the team’s efforts to recognize their service.  “It is incredible for the Lakers to be supporting military and veterans” said Senior Airman Mara Ignacio, 452 Operational Support Squadron, “it means a lot to me and my husband, who are both serving to be a part of something like this.”