Special Olympics athlete from Milwaukee to play in NBA Cares game | Community Spirit

From the Milwaukee Recreation Department:

Rickie Kelly, an athlete in Milwaukee Recreation’s Special Olympics program, has been selected to participate in the first-ever NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game, which will take place as part of the 2012 NBA All-Star weekend festivities in Orlando. The game will tip off on Center Court during the NBA All-Star Jam Session on Sunday, February 26. Rickie and eleven other Special Olympics athletes from across the country will play alongside NBA legends Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Dikembe Mutombo and Sam Perkins, current WNBA players, and celebrities. NBA stars Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams will also participate in the event.

The exhibition game will combine athletes with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates to showcase the power of Special Olympics' Unified Sports® program, which helps unite communities and foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion. Following the game, NBA/WNBA legends and players will host a clinic for local Special Olympics athletes at Jam Session.

Rickie has participated in Special Olympics of Wisconsin (SOWI) basketball, bowling and athletics for more than five years. He has competed in more than six state competitions and was selected to play for Team Wisconsin at the 2010 National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. On September 24, 2011, Rickie received the SOWI Male Athlete of the Year for the Milwaukee area. This award is given each year to the Special Olympics male athlete who best displays leadership skills and good sportsmanship.

"Rickie is a fabulous motivator,” says MPS Assistant Recreation Supervisor Annie McGinnity, who will travel to Orlando with Rickie. “He rallies his teammates to come to practice and does a great job of recruiting players. He serves as a wonderful role model and encourages his teammates to make positive choices."

"When I was ten I saw Kobe Bryant playing on TV and I wanted to be just like him," says Rickie. "When I play basketball, I feel electric and elevated. I feel free from negativity."

"The NBA is excited to expand our longtime partnership with Special Olympics by hosting the Unity Sports basketball game as part of our NBA All-Star festivities," says NBA Senior Vice President of Community Relations Todd Jacobson. "The NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game is about having fun, promoting fitness and bringing people together."

"We are proud to have this unique opportunity to show the world the incredible talents of our Special Olympics athletes, playing alongside basketball legends from the NBA and WNBA," says Peter Wheeler, Special Olympics' Chief Officer of Strategic Properties. "This is another great moment in our long-standing partnership with the NBA and we hope that this Unity Sports basketball game shows NBA fans the power of sports to unite us all."

Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to provide the entire community with affordable and enriching recreational activities.