Seth Curry and The Dallas Mavericks continue to show their commitment and contributions to Metroplex youth while Curry is cementing himself as a fan favorite both on and off the court.

The 27-year-old combo point guard/shooting guard, who will begin his second year with the Mavs when training camp begins Tuesday, has spearheaded on behalf of his Foundation and the Mavericks a slew of recent initiatives aimed at educating local youth on entrepreneurship, the importance of reading and computer literacy,  and teaching the fundamentals of basketball.

Reading and Learning Center

Earlier this month, the Seth Curry Foundation and The Mavs Foundation, the private 501c(3) foundation arm of the Dallas Mavericks, unveiled a new Reading & Learning Center and Computer Lab at Readers 2 Leaders facility in West Dallas.

Students got the chance to break in the new space with advice and play time with Curry, representatives from his Foundation, the Mavs Foundation, Pro Players Foundation and PPG/Glildden.

Readers 2 Leader’s mission is to develop and grow the reading skills of underserved Dallas children ages 3-12 so that they succeed in school and graduate prepared to live productive lives.  Through after-school, in-school and summer camp programs, Readers 2 Leaders reaches these students with the enrichment they need to become life-long readers, learners and leaders.

At the Mavs Foundation we’ve focused on two things: one, building the basketball courts around the city to stimulate the physical activity and the second piece of that is the Reading and learning Centers and we feel real strongly that this piece is the base,” said Floyd Jahner, COO of the Dallas Mavericks and president of the Mavs Foundation.

Mavs COO Floyd Jahner

“Seth Curry is involved today and Curry made it through to play in the NBA and not many do. We read, get the advanced education, etc. and that’s how most make it. The Mavs Foundation donates the computers and come do the work in this community to help these kids come out and be successful.

“And you hear the stories later on and it’s as much fun for us as it for the kids to see the computers and watch their faces,” he said. “I’ m proud of what the Mavs Foundation has done and that we are able to do it.”

Over the past 21 years, the Mavs Foundation has built 35 safe Learn & Play spaces throughout the North Texas community, including 21 basketball courts and 14 Reading & Learning Centers.  These spaces are designed to expand learning opportunities for reading and education programs, as well as provide Computer Labs and access to technology to assist teens and adults with job-skill training and other valuable tools.

Teaching Entrepreneurship

Curry’ Foundation and the Mavericks also recently launched the Venture – Entrepreneurial ExpeditionTM program, a new educational initiative designed to teach students to think entrepreneurially about business and life.

The program’s digital course uses case studies, interactive business simulations and personal development activities to teach important basic business skills. Through the program students will develop a personalized plan for their individual business, along with a roadmap for academic and career success.

 

The interactive program, launched at KIPP Destiny Middle School, a charter school in KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth Public Schools, will serve hundreds of middle school students in the 2017 – 2018 school year and will be implemented in schools throughout the DFW Metroplex.

Jr. NBA Clinic

The day after launching the Entrepreneurial program, Curry and the Mavs hosted a free, special Jr. NBA Clinic with 100 kids from the DFW metroplex .

The youth, all chosen personally by Curry based on financial need, the desire to learn how to play the game, and after writing an essay on why they wanted to participate, was held at the Mavs practice facility where the kids learned basic skills training around the fundamentals of basketball including shooting, ball handling, passing, lay-ups and more. The youth – both boys and girls – also toured the practice facility and were treated to lunc . The training was led by Mavs Basketball Academy coaches.

Mavs Head Coach Rick Carlisle surprised the youth and showed up to talk with them about the importance of both education and athletics and to watch them play ball.

Curry said he sees himself in the kids who attended the camp and just wanted to ensure they had a good time.

“A lot of my memories from my childhood were coming to camps like this, having fun and learning,” he said. “Seeing these kids being here, around me, in the gym, it’s a blessing. I’m happy to be a part.”

Curry said he felt a connection to each kid at the camp. “I know a little bit about them from their stories and from reading their essays,” he said. “I’ve read what they’ve gone through and why they wanted to be there. I try to encourage them to think about school work, their academics first and foremost and use this as a reward.”

The Jr. NBA is the league’s global youth basketball program, which aims to celebrate, grow and improve the game of basketball with boys and girls ages 6-14. As part of the Jr. NBA program, the Dallas Mavericks host free basketball clinics across North Texas with after-school programs and other nonprofit partners.