Students and staff at the Fostertown Elementary School in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District were recently treated to a visit by members of the New York Wiz Kids basketball team from the Bronx. See the video below.
Wiz Kids founding member Mugsy Leggett and his son Sean, wowed the students with fancy dribbling and trick passes. The pair invited students and teachers onto the court to participate in some games.
While their visit was centered around entertaining with their basketball skills, their message to the children was far more important: Education is key. The Leggetts also emphasized that students should listen to their parents and teachers, and be kind to each other.
Wiz Kids started as a small basketball recreation program in the Bronx with only volunteers and family members. Being embraced by the local boys and girls, the program expanded to various gymnasiums and courts throughout the Bronx.
In 2001, Books B4 Ball Organization/Wiz kids Basketball Program settled in the Northeast part of the Bronx, serving over 550 children annually. They focused on ages 5-18, but extended the reach to adults from the New York City metro area. In the years to follow, the program has worked with over 1,300 students, most who have gone on to post secondary institutions.
Wiz Kid student athletes are required to meet scholastic and behavioral requirements in school before they can play ball. Study hall, tutoring, mentoring and college and high school tours are a part of the Wizkids curriculum.
