Jalen Green partners with Houston officials to upgrade basketball infrastructure

As Rockets guard Jalen Green waited for Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to finish speaking, he continuously looked amongst the crowd of kids who had come to hear him speak and then gazed at his surroundings.

It wasn’t hard to decipher the thoughts going through his mind as he stood on the newly renovated basketball court at Brewster Park in Houston’s Fifth Ward area. Green teamed up with Mayor Turner, Houston Parks and Recreation, and his sponsor Adidas to provide new lights, backboards, rims, and the court.

“Seeing the kid’s faces afterward, seeing them smile, and their reactions are good,” Green said of the project. “They see me, and they see what is being built. That is the best part for me.”

Green’s personality is located throughout the court. It starts with a replica of his signature peace-sign tattoo on the back of his right hand while throwing up the “H,” which is a hand gesture representing the city of Houston. It is a constant reminder that we should be “at peace” with each other.

The court features Houston’s team colors and the logos of Jalen Green, Adidas, Houston Parks and Recreation, and the Rockets, along with the words “With Love” and Green’s signature. After unveiling the court, Green hosted a basketball clinic for children who attend the Urban Enrichment Institute, also located in Fifth Ward.

Green made it a point to allow the kids to ask him questions which ranged from making it to the NBA to the hardships he endures daily.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t get to ask NBA players questions,” Green said of the importance of allowing kids to ask him questions. “I know I am not a superstar or anything like that yet, but just to pick somebody’s brain and see their motivation and somebody they want to be, I felt it was cool to answer their questions.”

Although he has only been in Houston for a short time, the second-year guard is making a solid impression in the community.

Three weeks ago, Green hosted a Thanksgiving meal for teens and young adults living at the Covenant House of Texas, providing shelter for the homeless, abused, and abandoned youth from ages 18-24.

“The past couple of weeks have been great,” Green said as he spoke to the media after playing basketball with kids in attendance. “We were able to help the homeless community and now we are here, so it has been a good past couple of weeks.”