THE Sydney Kings are always looking to build basketball empires in schools and a following in the wider community.
Over many years, they have prided themselves on spreading the basketball gospel to schools and clubs throughout the Sydney metropolitan area and in the St George region and Sutherland Shire.
Their new kingdom, at least for a day, on Monday was Oatley West Public School.
The school’s 500 students — boys and girls — teachers and parents were treated to a visit by five Sydney Kings players and officials for the ‘‘So You Think You Can Play’’ program.
It is one of the Kings’ new initiatives to work in with coaching clinics and schools and community visits.
‘‘So You Think Tou Can Play’’ involves games including five Kings players against five students.
This was the first time the new program was taken to Oatley West Public School.
The school students who played were interchanged in a series of games against the Kings’ stars Marcus Thornton, Julian Khazzouh, Jason Cadee, Dion Prewster and Steve Markovic.
The basketball court became centre stage with several games played in front of the whole school during the Kings one-hour visit.
The players also mingled with the students and spoke to them about participation and having fun when they play sport.
You could have sworn you were at a Kings basketball game and not on a school playground area, such was the thundering noise generated by students, teachers and parents.
They clapped, cheered and participated in the Mexican wave generating an electric atmosphere.
Oatley West Public School co-ordinator Anne Laurence said basketball is one of the most popular sports in the school.
Ms Laurence said the school has won eight of the past nine Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) senior team competitions.
She said Oatley West encourage active lifestyle programs, health and fitness and sports participation.
One of the school basketballers, year five student Matthew Murphy, 11, said he and his schoolmates were thrilled to meet the players.
Matthew plays in the St George Basketball Association at Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre.
‘‘I really like playing basketball,’’ Matthew told the Leader.
Sydney Kings MC Gee Grant whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he worked his way around the school playground on the microphone.
He ignites the Kings’ fans at home matches in the NBL competition.
