NBA shooting coach upgrades the court where he learned the game; leads turkey drive and equipment giveaway in partnership with Events DC, District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, and Red Bull
Chris Matthews, aka @LethalShooter, kicked off the holiday season by giving back to the community where he grew up in Washington, DC. It was in the South Woodridge neighborhood where he grew up and first learned the game of basketball, starting his journey that led to millions of social media followers, and a career as a trusted shooting coach to some of the best pros in the world.
In partnership with Events DC - the official sports and convention authority for the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, and Red Bull - Chris helped upgrade the hoops at Langdon Park Rec Center where he honed his shooting skills at a young age, as well as at Walter Pierce Park. Six new backboards and rims were installed in total, which will ensure kids can enjoy quality runs at the parks for years to come.
Not only did Chris upgrade the hoops on his hometown courts, he also led a turkey drive for the community, donating and distributing 125 turkeys to families in need this Thanksgiving.
After unveiling the hoops and finishing the turkey drive, Chris capped the day by running a basketball clinic for local kids and gifting all attendees basketballs, shirts, and backpacks. He’s thrilled to give back to the place and community that has given him so much.
“This year I started the Jeffrey Winslow Foundation in honor of my late father. Projects like this one will continue to be a priority of mine and my foundation’s in order to keep his memory alive. My dad was a giver and I’m so blessed to be in a position to now give in his honor. Renovating backboards on the courts that raised me is important to me because DC Parks and Recreation gave me an outlet to be successful. The Rec really kept me out of trouble and gave me a place to start building my work ethic. Now I feel like it’s my turn to come back to continue to show the youth we can make it out of DC and win, even if the odds are against us. I would never be where I am today without everyone who helped me along the way - now it’s my turn to reach back to the next generation and help them chase their dreams.”
Chris has trained some of the biggest names in the sport including Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, Candace Parker and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Before all of that success, the DC-born Matthews was a kid who could be found at Langdon Park Rec Center most of the time doing what he loved, shooting hoops.
Delano Hunter, the Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation addressed the local crowd, and was impressed by the work Chris has done to give back to his childhood Rec Center. “This is an inspiration to us all. We’re grateful for this investment by Mr. Matthews. These are some of the best hoops in DPR’s inventory, with their breakaway rims and advanced fiberglass backboards. It means so much to us to have one of our homegrown talents achieve great success in their craft, and work with DPR to pay that success forward for the next generation.”
“Walter Pierce Park and Langdon Park Community Center are anchors of the community, and we are proud to support Chris in this admirable project to upgrade basketball facilities across DC,” said Greg O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC. “Having spent a significant portion of my youth on basketball courts where I grew up, I know firsthand the benefits of this project and people like Chris. Every child in DC —no matter their race, gender or background— deserves safe and beautiful places to play and coaches who can serve as mentors in their lives, and we are thankful for Chris’s and DPR’s commitment to this goal.”
After graduating from National Christian Academy in Maryland, Chris has played D1 basketball collegiately at St. Bonaventure and Washington State University, and professionally overseas. Now, he’s one of the most successful and accomplished skills coaches for the best players in the world. This would not be possible without the community and courts that helped mold him as a player and a man. He views these latest charitable efforts not only as his honor, but also his responsibility, to give back to that same community in a meaningful and tangible way this holiday season.
Photos and video of Chris’ day at Langdon Park and Walter Pierce can be viewed and be made available for editorial use at the Red Bull Content Pool. To learn more about Chris and his journey with Red Bull, check out his philosophy on life here.
Media Contact- Mike DeCarlo (mike@scrimshawpr.com; 908-902-8413)
About Red Bull
Red Bull Energy Drink is available in over 170 countries worldwide and 7.9 billion cans of Red Bull were consumed last year, 3 billion of those in the U.S. alone. Red Bull Energy Drink's signature 8.4 fl oz can contains 80 mg of caffeine, about the same amount as in a home-brewed cup of coffee. For more information, visit energydrink-us.redbull.com.
About The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
The DPR provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. DPR supervises many of Columbia's recreation/community centers, parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, spray parks, tennis courts, community gardens, dog parks, aquatic facilities, and features.
The agency also coordinates a wide variety of recreation programs, including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, and senior citizen activities. In addition, adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the Nation’s Capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKCampus.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for live and on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com .
