KANSAS CITY, Mo. – They got their start here in the Kansas City Metro. But now, five local current pro athletes across the NFL and NBA are teaming up for a weekend giving back to the community during Winners Circle Weekend.
Friday, the NFL’s Charles Harris, Ronnie Bell and Kendall Blanton and NBA’s Ish Wainwright and Shaq Harrison were on the sidelines for a Local Legends Celebrity Basketball Game serving as coaches.
“Hopefully it comes down to the wire I can draw up a play I’ve got a play one of my coaches I love so I’m going to go with that one,” said Shaq Harrison, who played in the Western Conference Finals in 2023 with the Lakers, before spending most of last season with their G League team.
They played at high schools around the Metro, from Raytown South to Blue Springs South, to Park Hill to Lee’s Summit West and Lincoln Prep.
“Everybody knows everybody in some way shape or form so it’s great to be reconnected over sports,” Harris, a former Mizzou defensive lineman who played in 2023 for the Detroit Lions, said.
The weekend featured an entrepreneur night last night and there will be a Black business fair Saturday afternoon at Southeast High.
There’s also a free basketball clinic for fifth grade through Seniors in High School at 830 a.m. Saturday at Kauffman School and football clinic for high schoolers at Lincoln Prep Sunday at 1 p.m.
“Just to be able to see the city and to see everybody smile and be here and have fun in a safe way playing basketball football whatever it is tug of war,” Blanton, a Super Bowl champion tight end with both the Rams and Chiefs said.
Kids will get to learn sports skills from the pros.
“Hard work turns skill into talent I want these kids to know it’s not about getting every single rep perfectly but it’s about perfecting every single rep that you get,” Harris said.
But also life skills as well.
“Sports is a way out but it’s not the only way out I don’t want these kids to think it’s the only way out. It wasn’t my only way out I just happened to be good at it and I took advantage of my opportunities,” said current Phoenix Suns Forward Ish Wainright.
Wainwright said he knows he’ll get questions about Kevin Durant, but also says he hopes he gets questions about not just making it to the NBA but the hard work it takes to stay there.