UIC basketball clinic gives athletes with disabilities a chance to learn, connect

A total of 126 adults and children gathered in the University of Illinois Chicago gym for a basketball clinic designed to teach the sport while creating lasting memories.Participants with a variety of developmental and physical disabilities spent time learning basketball fundamentals from UIC players and coaches. For many, the event provided a unique opportunity to play the game they love in a collegiate setting.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchNineteen-year-old participant Zamari Austin said the experience was especially meaningful because basketball is his favorite sport."The coaches were pretty good. They taught me a lot: how to shoot, how to play defense, passing the ball," Austin said.UIC senior Evyn Carrier, who is preparing for the team's season opener next week, spent the day helping participants learn the basics of basketball. She said the enthusiasm of the athletes made the experience rewarding for the players as well."They were so happy coming in here, which lifts us up, too: so ready to learn. They all have different personalities, which is cool to see," Carrier said.SEE ALSO:My Brother's Keeper Chicago earns Obama Foundation certificationThroughout the clinic, players and coaches guided participants through a series of drills. The athletes came from a dozen programs across the Chicago area and were brought together through the Beautiful Lives Project, an organization that helps adults with disabilities participate in sports and cultural events.Kelvina Carter of the Beautiful Lives Project said seeing participants enjoy the opportunity was the highlight of the event."It's such a joy to see their faces in the excitement, to be able to participate and be themselves. I love everything about it," Carter said.The clinic lasted about an hour, but organizers said they hope the relationships and memories created during the event will endure long after it ended.UIC head coach Ashleen Bracey said community service initiatives such as the clinic are central to the program's mission and help student-athletes use their platform to support others."I believe in using our platform as athletes to help other people, to impact other people, to share our skills with other people," Bracey said.Organizers said that while many participants may not continue playing basketball extensively in the future, they hope the clinic helped create lasting friendships and meaningful experiences.