NEW YORK – Continuing military appreciation efforts led by USA Basketball stars this summer, the NBA family is teaming up with the Department of Defense in conjunction with Veterans Day weekend to honor our nation’s service men and women and their families.  As part of “NBA Cares Hoops for Troops,” teams will host events in-arena and in the community to recognize active and retired troops, NBA and WNBA players and legends will visit military medical centers, and NBA players will wear special adidas oncourt apparel to commemorate the holiday.

“NBA Cares Hoops for Troops,” a year-round initiative in collaboration with the Department of Defense, the USO and other military and veteran support organizations, features a variety of events and activities led by teams, players, and legends to thank our military men, women, and families. On Nov. 8, NBA and WNBA players and legends will spend time with active duty troops, veterans and their families:

• A visit to Brooke Army Medical Center and the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio will be led by NBA Legend Bruce Bowen and WNBA Legend Marie Ferdinand-Harris.
• NBA Legend Buck Williams and WNBA Legend Teresa Edwards will spend time at the Fisher House and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
• Washington Wizards players John Wall and Trevor Booker will visit the Soldier & Family Activities Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

“We’re humbled by the NBA family’s ongoing efforts to honor and support our service members, veterans and military families through NBA Cares Hoops for Troops,” said Col. Phil Waite, Director of Community & Public Outreach, Department of Defense.  “The individual, selfless efforts by hundreds of players, coaches and staff to reach out to our ‘team,’ especially those wounded while serving this great Nation, are remarkable.  We are enormously grateful!”

In addition to the visits on Nov. 8, NBA teams and players from around the league will host events to honor retired and active service men and women in conjunction with Veterans Day weekend:

• During their respective home games on Nov. 9, 10, 11, and 12, the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards will host Military Appreciation Nights featuring ticket donations to active military and veterans, pregame and in-game activities to honor area service members, and oncourt recognition of military heroes.
• On Nov. 10, the Houston Rockets will host the 11^th Annual Rockets Run benefitting the USO.
• On Nov. 12, the Lakers family will serve breakfast to homeless and transitioning veterans.
• The Timberwolves will invite a group of Purple Heart recipients, veterans, and active service members to a special dinner with players and coaching staff on Nov. 13. The team will also honor Minnesota troops, both deployed and recently returned, and their families at each home game throughout the month of November as part of “Operation: Minnesota Heroes.”
• As part of his Sideline Soldiers program, the Indiana Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough will host guests from the National Guard and the Wounded Warriors Project at the Pacers game on Nov. 13.
• On Nov. 15, the Cleveland Cavaliers will visit patients at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center.

“The NBA family has enjoyed collaborating with the Department of Defense for many years and we look forward to building upon this relationship through the NBA Cares Hoops for Troops initiative,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Community Relations Todd Jacobson.  “Our nation’s military sacrifices so much to protect our freedom and this initiative will honor these courageous men, women and their families – both active and retired – and thank them for their efforts.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the NBA family also recognizes the tireless efforts of our National Guard, police, firefighters and all of the first responders who continue to help those affected by this devastating storm.”

The NBA has a long history of supporting our nation’s military.  Teams and players around the league host events and activities throughout the season, including Seats for Soldiers, to honor service members.  The league and its teams also collaborate year-round with military and veteran support organizations, such as the USO and the Wounded Warriors Project, in an effort to give back to our troops and their families.  To learn more about “NBA Cares Hoops for Troops,” please visit nba.com/cares/hoopsfortroops.html.