Current Programs

D-Fenders Honorary Team Attendant
Honor your oustanding scholar-athletes from Los Angeles county by nominating them for the D-Fenders Honorary Team Attendant contest. Winners get to sit courtside and help the D-Fenders team attendants pregame. Get all the details and send in your nomination.

DR. JERRY BUSS AND THE LAKERS / D-FENDERS
Dr. Jerry Buss’ philanthropic and community support is as diverse as the community in which he lives and works. As a result of his considerable charitable efforts, he has been honored by a wide range of organizations, including: City of Hope, NAACP, the B’Nai B’rith, United Negro College Fund, United Indian Development Association, National Organization of Women, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, Heart of Los Angeles Youth, Los Angeles Police Department, and Special Olympics of Southern California.

Dr. Buss and his entities annually donate thousands of dollars, tickets, merchandise, and memorabilia to support countless neighborhood schools, libraries, and churches as well as non-profit organizations which attend to the needs of communities in Southern California. Most recently, Dr. Buss made a personal contribution of $100,000 to New Image Shelter, to support their efforts on behalf of the homeless in Los Angeles. In addition, when unfortunate natural disasters and tragedies have struck, such as the Southern California wildfires in 2003, 2007 and 2008 and Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers/D-Fenders have been quick to offer assistance by making sizable donations to charities that provide immediate frontline disaster relief and long-term recovery support for those in need.

LOS ANGELES D-FENDERS AND THE JUNIOR LAKERS
The Junior Lakers program is dedicated to promoting the sport of basketball and developing the skills of young players. With our talents and resources, the Lakers and D-Fenders support existing youth basketball leagues, renovate basketball courts throughout the city of Los Angeles, conduct clinics for players and coaches, and host our annual summer camp, Camp Lakers.

Most recently, the Lakers Youth Foundation and the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation have partnered to offer free basketball clinics at the beautiful new Lafayette Park Recreation Center in central Los Angeles. The monthly clinics are organized by Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and teach Junior Lakers the fundamentals of basketball, healthy eating habits, and the importance of teamwork. The Lakers and D-Fenders also host clinics for volunteer coaches from local leagues. Learning from the best, these coaches receive invaluable tips and advice from the Lakers and D-Fenders coaching staff on how to teach the game to young athletes, offensive and defensive strategies, and the best drills to run.

Camp Lakers, an annual summer youth basketball camp for boys ages 10-18, focuses on providing young players with a program that improves their overall basketball skills in a fun and challenging environment. Camp Lakers 2011 was held at the Roybal Learning Center in downtown Los Angeles. Since 2000, Camp Lakers has featured personal instruction and appearances by Lakers and D-Fenders players as well as insight from coaches and General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Proceeds from the camp benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation.

COMPLIMENTARY GROUP TICKETS
Each year, the D-Fenders donate scores of game tickets to Southern California non-profit organizations so that their members may enjoy a D-Fenders game together. Often, the complimentary group ticket is the non-profit member’s first opportunity to see a D-Fenders game.

2010-2011 NBA D-LEAGUE COMMUNITY SUMMARY
During the 2010-11 NBA D-League season, the teams and league experienced tremendous success in the area of Community Relations. NBA D-League teams completed over 1,200 community events, including events in the four NBA D-League-wide initiatives:

• NBA D-League Cares Week of Service - To promote the tip off of the NBA D-League season, teams hosted community events to highlight their continued commitment to the communities in which we live, learn and play. Twelve NBA D-League teams hosted events including volunteering with community organizations, read alouds, school visits, participating in walks and basketball court renovation projects.
• NBA Cares Season of Giving – The NBA D-League teams, players and staff celebrated NBA Cares Season of Giving by bringing holiday cheer to thousands of people in need by hosting numerous events during the months of November and December. Ten NBA D-League teams activated NBA Cares Season of Giving events such as hospital visits, holiday meals and fun-filled parties.
• NBA D-League FIT Live Healthy Week - During NBA D-League FIT Live Healthy Week, all NBA D-League teams and players joined community members and partners to highlight the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle. All teams and players were outfitted in NBA D-League FIT shooting shirts for games during the week including all NBA D-League Showcase games and the NBA D-League Showcase Slam Dunk Contest. Eight NBA D-League teams activated during FIT Live Healthy Week with grassroots programs, events and in-arena activation.
• NBA D-League Green Week - The NBA D-League Greening Initiative is a program designed to reduce the environmental impact of the league’s operations and events. During the week, all teams and players joined together in educating fans on greening efforts and encourage fans to “go green.” Nine NBA D-League teams took part in green efforts including hands-on community service projects, recycling programs, in-arena green giveaways and auctions during NBA Green Week.