Anthony Atkinson Jr., the man who led Barton College's men's basketball team to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2007, is teaming with his dad, Anthony Atkinson Sr., to establish the Anthony Atkinson All-Stars.
The non-profit organization is creating an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team in Wilson, with the father-son duo in charge.
The world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters made the younger Atkinson its inaugural draft pick in September and he is currently in Brazil on tour with the team. However, the elder Atkinson said his son should be back in Wilson on July 9 and is the main man behind the team.
"He's the sponsor, the president, the coach when he's here -- everything. This is Ant's baby, his project," senior explained.
Tryouts for the team will be held Saturday, July 12, at 1 p.m. in the Greenfield School's gymnasium.
The first year will be for boys only. Ages 10-12 are the target ages, but any boys under the age of 12 are welcome to try out. The Atkinsons eventually hope to add girls teams and a variety of age groups.
"This is just something for the community that Ant wants to do," Atkinson Sr. said. "AAU is the highest level of amateur basketball and Ant's trying to get some positive things going, help develop kids, their leadership skills, academic support, athletics -- the whole nine yards.
"We want to get some visibility for our young athletes and maybe they can even get some national attention," Atkinson said.
Anthony Atkinson All-Stars' mission statement is: To create well-rounded individuals while, at the same time, supporting athletic ability, emphasizing academic success and developing leadership on and off the basketball court.
Atkinson Sr. said the team will travel and play year round. Anyone working in association with Anthony Atkinson's All-Stars does so on a strictly voluntary manner, but the organization welcomes any financial support the community can offer to assist in covering tournament registration fees, travel expenses, equipment, etc.
"It's just a very positive thing Ant's trying to do here," his father said. "He's trying to give back to the community -- that's what it's all about."
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