NBA Shooting Coach Headlines ‘Dream Team’ Youth-Police Basketball Event

NBA shooting coach and Prince George’s County native Chris Matthews will join University of Maryland, county and community partners at Ritchie Coliseum on Saturday for the College Park Dream Team’s Community Unity Youth Clinic and Basketball Game.

The College Park Dream Team is a basketball partnership between the city's Lakeland community, University of Maryland Police Department, Prince George’s Police Department and Maryland National-Capital Park Police that enhances relationships between local youth and law enforcement through sports.

This year, Matthews and his nonprofit, the Jeffrey Winslow Foundation are partnering with the College Park Dream Team to give back to his community.

“Growing up in the DMV made me into the person I am today. The years I spent living in College Park, Maryland played a huge, positive part of my life,” Matthews said. “Spending hours at College Park Rec and Cole Field House every day working on my game molded me to become the basketball player and trainer I am today. I am honored to be coming back and giving back to the community that raised me.”

Since the university’s Office of Community Engagement and Department of Public Safety launched the College Park Dream Team games in 2013, they have built bridges between local youth and safety personnel by providing a common ground for them to interact outside of law enforcement.

New this year is Matthews’ 45-minute basketball clinic for local youth followed by the game featuring high schoolers from the Lakeland community and local safety personnel. After the game, clinic and game participants will have the chance to eat pizza during a meet-and-greet with Matthews and local safety personnel.

Those who wish to attend the 6 p.m. game can reserve a free ticket online.