The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will host its second annual Juneteenth 3-on-3 basketball tournament and backyard barbecue on Friday, June 19, from noon to 3 p.m., the center announced.
The free event is open to teams of four players in grades 5 through 12, with 128 youth players expected. Organizers said the tournament is presented by People’s Credit Union and held in partnership with Viking Hoops and Butler Basketball Club at the MLK Community Center at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd. in Newport. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m.
The event will include hamburgers, hot dogs and a DJ, with ice cream provided by Ben & Jerry’s at the end of the day, according to the center.
“After the enthusiasm at last year’s inaugural tournament, we’re thrilled to welcome People’s Credit Union back as our presenting sponsor,” said Heather Hole Strout, the center’s executive director. “Every child deserves equal access to youth sports, and thanks to People’s Credit Union, we can provide this opportunity to engage with recreational basketball without pay-to-play structures that pose as barriers to many families in our community.”
Sean Daly, head of People’s Credit Union, said the event reflects the credit union’s community focus. “The MLK’s Juneteenth Basketball Tournament and BBQ embodies those values by offering Newport County youth a free, fun, and inspiring sports experience,” he said.
Viking Hoops was founded by Jim Psaras, a Rogers High School graduate and longtime Newport teacher and coach, and is now led by his daughter, Julia Psaras, according to the center. Butler Basketball Club was founded in 2016 by Randy Butler and Janetta Donovan as a nonprofit that uses basketball for community programming.
The MLK Community Center, founded in 1922 and renamed in 1968, serves Newport County residents through programs focused on food, education and community support, according to the organization. The center said it served more than 8,700 people last year.
The event is free, but registration is required. Teams can register at the link provided by the center at signupgenius.com.
