Reebok, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta unveil refurbished basketball court at James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club
A revamped playing surface, new hoops, and abstract artwork executed by non-profit Project Backboard encourages kids to get active and engage with the world around them
ATLANTA (June 1, 2022)— Reebok, in collaboration with The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), today unveiled a refurbished basketball court for members of the James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club in Marietta, Ga., located 20 miles north of Atlanta. The colorful and abstract court design furthers the organization’s shared commitment to encouraging youth physical activity and creativity.
“As a Reebok partner and long-time supporter and alumnus of Boys & Girls Club, I’m proud of the team effort to encourage more kids to stay active and lead healthy lifestyles,” said Shaquille O’Neal, who helped launch The Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County last fall.
The restoration was executed by Project Backboard, a non-profit whose mission is to renovate courts to help strengthen communities and encourage multi-generational play. The months-long revamp entailed sourcing brand new portable basketball hoops, repairing surface cracks and bumps, applying new layers of sealant for durability, and painting a beautiful abstract design by Atlanta-based artist Jamaal Barber, with input from Anderson Club members.
“The transformation of our Anderson Club basketball court is so much more than what meets the surface,” said BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan. “Partnerships with mission-aligned organizations like Reebok, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Project Backboard are so important to us because they underscore our goal to help kids & teens build healthy habits now that will last a lifetime.”
The Anderson Club court refurbishment follows Reebok’s court refurbishment completed last month at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson, Calif., and the Candy Land-themed court refurbishment in 2020 at BGCMA’s A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Boys & Girls Club in Conyers, Ga. Each refurbishment is part of Reebok’s newly launched “Life is Not a Spectator Sport” campaign, a global call to action to inspire people to pursue their passions, celebrate their individuality, and become active participants in the world around them.
“Through ‘Life is Not a Spectator Sport’, our goal is to help build a more connected, active, and creative generation, inspiring individuals to live life and get off of the sidelines. To achieve this, it starts with creating better access,” said Caroline Machen, Vice President, Global Brand Marketing at Reebok Design Group. “We’re thrilled to team up with Shaq, BGCMA, and Project Backboard and bring this restored basketball court to the youth of the Atlanta metro area.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For more than 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Our 25+ Clubs located in 11 counties across metropolitan Atlanta have traditionally served nearly 8000 Club members (ages 6-18) yearly, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character & leadership. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. To learn more about BGCMA, follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.
About The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential. Established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal, the Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children. While primarily partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools in Atlanta and Las Vegas, the Foundation will simultaneously support Shaquille’s other charitable endeavors, such as his annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and initiatives alongside his corporate partners. For more information, visit shaqfoundation.org.
About Reebok: Reebok is an iconic pioneering lifestyle brand with a rich and storied fitness heritage dating back to 1895. Founded on athletic footwear that changed the direction of sport, Reebok continues to introduce innovations that propel the industry forward. Today, Reebok sits at the intersection of active, lifestyle and sport, offering high quality and modern styles that are adaptable for every occasion. The brand strives to deliver every athlete, from professionals to enthusiasts, with the opportunity, products, and inspiration to reach their full potential. Reebok currently operates in 80 countries with approximately 400 freestanding stores around the world. For more information, visit Reebok.com or, for the latest news at News.Reebok.com. Discover Reebok on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.
About Project Backboard: Project Backboard is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2015, whose mission is to renovate public basketball courts and install large scale works of site specific art on the surface in order to strengthen communities, improve park safety, encourage multi-generational play, and inspire people to think more critically and creatively about their environment.
