- Flesh-Eating Bacteria Linked to Black Tar Heroin Kills 7 People
- Mountain Lion that Attacked Dogs, Killing 1 Spotted Again
- Report: Uber Finds Over 3K Sexual Assaults, 9 Murders, 58 Crashes
- City Officials Warn of Criminal Puppy Scams
- 23-Year-Old Disabled Woman Suing Lyft Alleging Sexual Assault
- Irvine Police Seeking Public's Help Finding Missing Mom, Daughter
- Richard Sherman Speaks Out After 49ers Broadcaster Makes Racist Comments
- Man Claiming to be Charles Manson's Grandson Must Take DNA Test for Proof
- KNX Hero of the Week Anthony Badalian
- Cell Phone Related Head and Neck Injuries On the Rise
- Oscar-Winning Actor Robert De Niro to Receive SAG Lifetime Achievement Award
- Prosecutor Accuses Harvey Weinstein of Mishandling Electronic Ankle Monitor
- Suspect Who Shot 3 at Naval Air Station was Saudi Aviation Student
- Customers at Fast Food Joint Get Chicken -- and Free Crocs Thanks to Post Malone
- Abandoned Baby Giraffe Who Became Best Friends with a Dog Dies
- Dems Move Aggressively to Draw Up Formal Articles of Impeachment
- Sanders Wants to Invest $150 Billion for High-Speed Internet to Every Household
- Biden Calls Iowa Voter 'Damn Liar' at Campaign Event
- Boy, 6, Officially Adopted - His Entire Kindergarten Class Shows Up to Court
- Cheerleader Settles Case for $145K Over Taking a Knee at Anthem
- 'Peloton Husband' Speaks Out Amid Commercial Controversy
- Kindergartener Invites Whole Class to His Adoption Hearing
- Woman Sentenced to Prison for Lying on Her Resume to Secure $185,000 Salary Job
- Is a Team of Lawyers Necessary to Keep Your Small Business Safe?
- Woman Finds Semi-Automatic Rifle Inside Baby Shower Gift Bought at Goodwill
- How to Snag Discounted Candles During Bath and Body Works' Annual 'Candle Day'
- Es la Temporada Para Conseguir Starbucks Gratuitamente Por Vida, Aprende Como Ganar
- A Banana Duct-Taped to a Wall Just Sold for $120,000 at a Miami Art Show
- FL Naval Station Shooter Was Saudi Aviation Student, Terror Link Being Investigated
- Superstitious? There Will Be a Full Moon on 12/12 at 12:12
George Contreras
Over the past three years, hundreds of young, aspiring basketball players in East LA have been learning vital skills, not just on the court, but in the game of life.
It's all thanks to the KNX Hero of the Week, who created a special club to help fill a need in his community.
The East LA Basketball Club is run by Coach George Contreras. He's a father and works for the LA Unified School District, as a distribution supervisor. In 2016, while George was coaching his own kids, he noticed that some other kids were struggling. Many were getting turned away from ball teams.
"Either they didn't have the skills to play travel ball, or they couldn't afford to play," says Coach George.
As many parents know, it can be quite expensive when it comes to organized sports.
So, George decided to help the kids out, by teaching fundamentals to those that needed a little help. And only charged what he needed to cover gym rental.
"I just wanted them to learn the decision-making part of the game, and improve their skills," remarks Coach George.
At his first practice, 15 kids showed up. But, within in a few months, the number had grown to 75.
Today, the East LA Basketball Club is an organization with several coaches and teams.
And, it's not just a place to play ball, it's place for kids to stay out of trouble. And, a place to feel included.
"We made ourselves available," says Coach George. "Also, we did it to get [the kids] off the streets. They're good kids, and we just didn't want them to stray."
The biggest challenge the East LA Basketball Club has right now is finding places to practice. It's hard when there's not many gyms or facilities available on a regular basis. And, those places cost money to rent, even for just two hours of practice.
But Coach George is not giving up, because he knows the positive impact the club is having on the community.
A young player named Samantha participates with the East LA Basketball Club, and she says Coach George gives her confidence and is empowering:
"He would always encourage us," says Samantha. "It was never like 'you can't do this because you're a girl'. It's you CAN do this - BECAUSE YOU'RE A GIRL."
And, she adds that it's more than just playing basketball...
"It's more like a family, than a club."
We would like to recognize Coach George Contreras' commitment to the young people with the East LA Basketball Club, by naming him this week's KNX Hero of the Week!
KNX Heroes, presented by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes!
Nominate your own hero at KNX1070.com
Heather Jordan, KNX 1070 News Radio.
It's all thanks to the KNX Hero of the Week, who created a special club to help fill a need in his community.
The East LA Basketball Club is run by Coach George Contreras. He's a father and works for the LA Unified School District, as a distribution supervisor. In 2016, while George was coaching his own kids, he noticed that some other kids were struggling. Many were getting turned away from ball teams.
"Either they didn't have the skills to play travel ball, or they couldn't afford to play," says Coach George.
As many parents know, it can be quite expensive when it comes to organized sports.
So, George decided to help the kids out, by teaching fundamentals to those that needed a little help. And only charged what he needed to cover gym rental.
"I just wanted them to learn the decision-making part of the game, and improve their skills," remarks Coach George.
At his first practice, 15 kids showed up. But, within in a few months, the number had grown to 75.
Today, the East LA Basketball Club is an organization with several coaches and teams.
And, it's not just a place to play ball, it's place for kids to stay out of trouble. And, a place to feel included.
"We made ourselves available," says Coach George. "Also, we did it to get [the kids] off the streets. They're good kids, and we just didn't want them to stray."
The biggest challenge the East LA Basketball Club has right now is finding places to practice. It's hard when there's not many gyms or facilities available on a regular basis. And, those places cost money to rent, even for just two hours of practice.
But Coach George is not giving up, because he knows the positive impact the club is having on the community.
A young player named Samantha participates with the East LA Basketball Club, and she says Coach George gives her confidence and is empowering:
"He would always encourage us," says Samantha. "It was never like 'you can't do this because you're a girl'. It's you CAN do this - BECAUSE YOU'RE A GIRL."
And, she adds that it's more than just playing basketball...
"It's more like a family, than a club."
We would like to recognize Coach George Contreras' commitment to the young people with the East LA Basketball Club, by naming him this week's KNX Hero of the Week!
KNX Heroes, presented by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes!
Nominate your own hero at KNX1070.com
Heather Jordan, KNX 1070 News Radio.