The Xperience Kentucky Derby Celebrity Basketball Game

On Friday, April 30, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist/Two-Time NBA All Star/Former NY Knick Allan Houston and Atlanta Dream/Former U of L Cardinals Angel McCoughtry returned home to Louisville with International Children’s Support Foundation (ICF) to host The Xperience KY Derby Celebrity Basketball Game on Derby Day during the prestigious Kentucky Derby. The Xperience Celebrity Basketball Game was held at Allan’s former high school, Ballard High School where he won a championship! The Xperience Outreach Foundation’s mission was to bring together a powerful group of professional athletes and celebrities to maximize The KY Derby “Xperience” for youth and their families. NBA & NFL All Stars, celebrity artists and industry professionals who share a vision of reaching out to youth to encourage and assist them in making positive life choices.

The game began with DJ Big D & Darrell “Hype Man Graffiti” Griffith, Jr getting the crowd started as they entered the gym. The people began to flow into the gym quickly anxiously anticipating the celebrities and the start of the game as they enjoyed VIP seating, refreshments, a chance to win cash in a 50/50 raffle and the $10,000 ½ court shot.

The players arrived on the court and were introduced and then it was time for the game to begin. This wasn’t your average celebrity basketball game, from the start it was a very intense game. Allan, Terrell, Jaylan, Gerald, Brent (who had 16 3pt FG’s for 48pts) and others created an exciting atmosphere for the kids and their families in a shoot out.

During Half Time Random Events Presented the JetBlue Challenge Half Court $10,000 Shot. Allan Houston introduced ATL Dream & U of L alum Angel McCoughtry and Angel chose the golden ticket that every attendee received upon entry into the celebrity game. The young man’s ticket was chosen and he was explained the rules and shown the exact spot he needed to attempt the shot and was left at a chance of winning $10,000. The young man got in position and threw the ball to no avail; he missed the basket by a long shot. The attendees also had a chance to win cash in a 50/50 raffle and the remaining half of the proceeds was donated to the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation.

The second half of the game wasn’t any different than the first. Filled with tons of excitement, 3pt shots, dunks and alley oops each team wanted to walk away as winners. The final score of the game was 108-115 and the WINNERS… TEAM HOUSTON! After the game the attendees received a chance to take pictures and receive autographs from their favorite celebrities. The game was fabulous and an additional highlight during the KY Derby Week.

Special Thanks to Allan Houston, Angel McCoughtry, Terrell Owens, David Tyree, Joe Horn, Rich Mahler Sr, Rich Mahler Jr & the Mahler Family (ICF), Coach Wade Houston & Family & the Houston Family, Jaylan Fleming, Letricia Cunningham, Terronce Moorman, Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, International Children’s Support Foundation, Xperience Outreach Foundation, Dave Huie (UNK), Tamiko Thomas & Andre Walker & the Platinum Image Staff (Platinum Image Ent Group), Malachai Johns (Redd Graphics), Miko Horn (AHLF), Jonathan Herman (AHLF), Andre Green (ICF), Tee Foxx (Foxx Entertainment), Darrell Griffith Jr & DJ Big D (Monster Squad Productions), Kimbrew McCain (Hands Down Security), Harold & 104 THE BEAT, Kita & Benecia Williams, Anthony Holt, Dwayne Burton, Ballard High School, Chris Kinney, Photographer George Williams, the players, participants and any others that contributed to this successful event. Also, VERY SPECIAL THANKS to ALL the event sponsors and donators who have supported the foundations and assisted with our efforts to make this event possible.

Event Sponsors Include: International Children’s Support Foundation’s (ICF), Allan Houston Legacy Foundation (AHLF), 104.3 The BEAT, Random Events Presents the JetBlue Challenge, Curv Sports, Yum! Brand Foundation, HOUSTON-JOHNSON INC (HJI), Dry Ice Blasting Technologies (DIBT), Drench, Platinum Image Ent Group and UNK.
For more information about Xperience Outreach Foundation please visit www.XperienceOutreach.com.