NBA Star Pitches In for Boston Youth Sports

Boston is on a mission to improve youth sports, and it's not doing it alone. Tyrik Wilson, the city's Youth Sports Initiative Manager, knows that change happens when you work with existing programs that are already making a difference. That's where Michael Carter-Williams comes in. This NBA vet, who hails from Massachusetts, has teamed up with Boston Public Schools and his own organization, NDUR for Athletes, to offer something unique. He's providing mental health and mindfulness workshops to students from English High School and Charlestown High School. Not just that, but he's also donated air purifiers to the Boston Public Health Commission. This initiative is part of the city's Let’s Play Boston drive. Imagine having an NBA star show you how to take care of your emotional health, nutrition, financial literacy, and mental control while playing sports. That’s what these high school athletes are experiencing. The workshops started back in October, with virtual meetings every week. Topics range from emotional well-being to financial wisdom. It’s all about helping young athletes be the best they can be, both on and off the court. Boston isn’t stopping there. Mayor Michelle Wu recently launched the city’s first Youth Sports Hub, an online directory that makes it easier for families to find sports programs for their kids. This is big because the city’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that the number of high school students involved in at least one sports team decreased by 10% in 2021. Carter-Williams is passionate about giving back. He wants to help kids in communities where he has personal connections, like Charlestown High, where his step-father played, and English High, where he knows the coach. His goal? To be a role model and inspire these kids to reach their full potential. Wilson and Carter-Williams want Boston to be a place that nurtures student athletes and provides them with the tools they need for success, both in and out of sports. This initiative is a call to action for all those wanting to give back to their communities. It’s about reviving community pride and tradition, making Boston a place where young athletes can truly thrive.