Hundreds of students took over a Seaview high school this weekend for a basketball competition called the "Unity Games." Organizers say the event is teaching teens more than just a game. NY1's Natalie Duddridge filed the following report.
A team called the Terrapins was ready to face off at the Unity Games on Saturday.
The students include more than 300 7th and 8th graders from across the city, coming together for a weekend of sports and workshops at Susan Wagner High School.
"Everybody from different races, come get together and just be friends," said assistant manager Brian Posques.
The Unity Games is celebrating its 15th year, but the goal is still the same: get students from all different backgrounds to build bonds, and set them up for success.
"You have to have a lot of time management to play sports and do well in school, so it teaches you a few life lessons," said a participant. "It's good."
The program has been running for 14 years. It started when the founders, two friends and coaches, noticed that players from different cultural groups weren't connecting off the court.
"We decided we needed to break down some of the cultural barriers, and this was our way of trying to do it," said Jacob Carey, a co-founder of the "Unity Games."
The games' founders say basketball is just the hook to get kids here.
And then, beyond the hoops, there's some homework, and a series of workshops about drug awareness, bullying, and diversity.
Former participants say they learned a lot and love the games so much, they come year after year to give back.
Founders are hoping to expand the program nationally and have it in every NBA city across the country.