NBA player visits Northwest villages to promote healthy lifestyle and dedication

NBA player Willie Reed traveled across Northwest Alaska for about two weeks recently to connect with local youths and share a message about not giving up and staying drug-free.

Reed — together with Nenana Elder Donald Charlie and sports manager with Team Hollywood Celebrity Streetball, Peter Adams — came to the region at the end of September and visited Buckland, Kotzebue, Deering, Selawik, Kiana, Kobuk, Shungnak and Ambler, said Tiffany Creed, a spokeswoman at the Maniilaq Association.

“The excitement was palpable, and there was an overwhelming response to the events,” Creed said. “Many community members met Team Hollywood at the airstrip right when they touched down in their small plane.”

In Kotzebue, children filled the Kotzebue Middle High School gymnasium, waiting for Reed to arrive. Colton Conwell, 5, and his sister Caitlin Conwell were in the crowd, their mother Dolly Conwell said.

“When he walked in, all the kids ran over to him, and Colton sat there shy,” Dolly Conwell said. “Seeing Colton wearing a Lakers jersey, Reed said, ‘You, in the Lakers jersey, come on down.’ He went down and got to hold an NBA Lakers Championship ring.

“He made Colton’s night so memorable and full of excitement,” she said.

One of the ongoing goals of Maniilaq’s Behavioral Services Department is to connect with youth, Creed said. This is why the staff decided to create a lasting memory for them and bring the Team Hollywood Celebrity Streetball athlete to several villages, that are far away from any major sports stadium and where youth don’t often get an opportunity to meet such celebrities.

“We know many of the youth in our service area live and breathe basketball – which is a healthy activity they can engage in throughout their lives,” Creed said.

During the visits, Reed and other Team Hollywood guests addressed such topics as bullying, substance abuse prevention and perseverance, Creed said.

“Willie talked about his story, and how he has a motto of ‘no excuses’ and staying positive through hardships,” Creed said.

The events also included team-building exercises, question-and-answer sessions and basketball highlight reels, Creed said. In Kotzebue, Reed spoke on KOTZ radio station about his life and experience in Northwest Alaska.

The group honored Elders and teachers in the crowd and gave youth a chance to come forward and assist with the activities or be recognized.

While Reed was asked about basketball the most, he also won the young residents over with his positive spirit, Maniilaq staff said in a Facebook post.

“He even helped serve lunch to students in Shungnak,” the post said.

Dolly Conwell said that the event was welcomed by the local families and children who love basketball.

“It’s a sport that they have all loved since the day they were born. Some kids dream to meet an NBA player and thanks to Maniilaq they made a lot of kids’ dream come true,” she said. “It was something our kids needed. They need visitors like this more often that can influence our children deeply.”