NBA Cares Learn & Play Center totals to 45 in China

During the 2014 NBA Global Games in Shanghai, NBA Cares set up its 45th Learn & Play Center in China as a dedication ceremony was held in Ziluolan Primary School here on Saturday.

Sacramento Kings players and coaching staff, along with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, CEO of NBA China David Shoemaker and four former NBA stars, joined in the ceremony.

According to Silver, the center located in Ziluolan Primary School was the 45th that the NBA Cares dedicated in China, and the 915th similar place that they dedicated in 26 countries around the world.

"We in the NBA will not be able to do this without outstanding partners who share our commitment to the communities around the world, especially here in China," said Silver.

As the NBA Cares put it, the center plan in Ziluolan Primary School includes renovation of basketball court, establishment of a computer lab equipped with 50 brand-new computers, and supply of basketballs and some other PE facilities.

"I encourage all of you students here today to spend your time in this Learn & Play Center, enjoy healthy activities that will help you build yourselves into great citizens," said Silver.

The Kings players offered students in this school a basketball clinic on their new court, before they played table tennis with the students.

"I've played table tennis before. They are 12 years old now. They play very well," Derrick Williams, the second overall pick of 2011 NBA Draft that was traded to the Kings last season, told Xinhua.

The 2014 Global Games in Shanghai between the Kings and Brooklyn Nets will kick off in Mercedes-Benz Arena on Sunday.