One City Basketball League Celebrates Championship Finals
A Night of Celebration and Community
On Saturday (Dec. 7), the One City Basketball League commemorated the end of its third season with a championship celebration at Wendell Phillips Academy High School.
A League Born Out of Community
The months-long League featured 28 teams of young people ages 16-25 from Chicago’s South and West sides. The season consisted of eight game days and more than 100 individual games, culminating in today’s final championship, where community advocates, family members, and founders of the League gathered to commemorate the players’ accomplishments.
Joakim Noah’s Reflections
“I’m so grateful to be here celebrating the third One City Championship,” said Noah’s Arc Foundation Co-Founder Joakim Noah. “I always say that basketball is more than just a sport, and we have hundreds of people here today who are proof of that. Basketball has the power to bring people together, create common ground, and help us work towards a common good, and I’m so thankful to have the chance to celebrate our players and all the people who helped make this League happen today.”
A League with a Mission
The One City Basketball League is a collaboration spearheaded by the Noah’s Arc Foundation, Transform Justice, and 28 other community organizations. Rooted in a collaborative approach to reducing violence, the One City Basketball League uses basketball as a unifier to build inter-community relationships and as a platform to empower participants.
Workshops and Group Discussions
Throughout the course of the season, the League pairs basketball with integrated workshops and group discussions centered on emotional wellness, trauma resilience, financial literacy, career readiness, and art-based therapy. Through these programs and workshops, coaches and coordinators worked to drive its unique model of violence interruption by unifying participants through basketball to build inter-community relationships.
Championship Game
This year, Together Chicago from the West Side defeated the South Side Contextos in overtime.
Slam Dunk Competition
Slam dunk competition
Slam Dunk Champion
Slam Dunk Champion
L to R: Cobe Williams and Derrick Rose
L to R: Cobe Williams and Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose
Conclusion
The One City Basketball League’s championship celebration was a testament to the power of community, basketball, and empowerment. As the League looks forward to its next season, it is clear that its mission to reduce violence and build inter-community relationships will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of its participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the One City Basketball League?
A: The One City Basketball League is a collaboration between the Noah’s Arc Foundation, Transform Justice, and 28 other community organizations that uses basketball as a unifier to build inter-community relationships and as a platform to empower participants.
Q: What is the mission of the One City Basketball League?
A: The mission of the One City Basketball League is to reduce violence and build inter-community relationships through basketball and integrated workshops and group discussions.
Q: How does the League achieve its mission?
A: The League achieves its mission by pairing basketball with integrated workshops and group discussions centered on emotional wellness, trauma resilience, financial literacy, career readiness, and art-based therapy.
