Thunder Dedicate Revitalized Community Court In Tulsa Before Preseason Game

The Oklahoma City Thunder is playing its second preseason game of the season in Tulsa at the BOK Center.

The team came down early Thursday morning to cut the ribbon on a newly re-energized Thunder community court at BC Franklin Park.

The court was first installed in 2016 but needed some love after years of use.

"They want to make sure that this community and these kids continue to have a great place to play," said Tulsa Parks Director Anna America. "So, to continue to come back out here and do the boring stuff like fill the cracks and repaint it is incredibly meaningful to us. It really makes a difference."

Kids like Evalynn Davis, 12, who live and go to school in the neighborhood are the ones benefitting the most from the renovation.

"Me and my siblings we come down here all the time and my brother always loves this court but it has just been worn down over the years," she said.

There are 31 Thunder community courts across the state and BC Franklin Park is home to one of only two in Tulsa.

"What we have seen is that our community courts over the years, they have become staples in the community," said Thunder spokesperson Gayle Maxwell. "They are a really important part of the fabric of the community."

These courts are where kids grow up and learn important life lessons.

"Kids who participate in sports like basketball they get a better GPA, they get discipline, they learn teamwork, and they are healthier physically," America added.

To celebrate the re-opening of the court, the team brought some of its Thunder Girls, Thunder Drummers, and Storm Chasers to interact and take photos with fans and its Thunder Youth Basketball coaches to lead the kids in basketball drills.

Davis is a cheerleader and said having them there was her favorite part. "I think it is just amazing to have professionals come up here and to have time to practice with us and to actually interact with us," she continued saying, "It is amazing to see that people especially of that caliber would put time and effort into a little neighborhood such as this."

The Oklahoma City Thunder tipoff against the New Zealand Breakers at 7 p.m. Thursday night.

To get tickets to the game, click here.