OKC Thunder Host Military Basketball Association Events

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to make a positive impact in the community.

Last weekend, the Military Basketball Association, a basketball league comprised of active military members from across the nation, hosted its 5th Annual Military Basketball Coaches Summit at the Paycom Center.

The Thunder hosted the 5th Annual Military Basketball Association Coaches Summit at Paycom Center this past weekend! The MBA is a basketball league for active military members from all around the country. pic.twitter.com/zTt4mcpGdJ
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) September 18, 2023

Following its coaches summit, the MBA held a 3-point shooting contest and a slam dunk competition in Oklahoma City. Thunder announcer and former NBA forward Michael Cage joined the group for the slam dunk contest as a judge, helping to create a memorable weekend in the Modern Frontier.

Mike Meyer, commissioner of the MBA, talked about why the league is so important.

"We play basketball to raise awareness for suicide prevention and harmful behaviors," Meyer said. "These guys will get out there and play basketball on a weekend, and then they will return to their units on a Monday morning and serve their country. So, they're the real heroes. We're really excited about it."

After judging an exciting dunk contest, Cage discussed his observations from MBA All-Star Weekend.

"These guys can ball, you know? They got game," Cage said. "Our relationship with our men and women of the armed forces is really unmatched. We certainly want to say thank you for the support that they offer us, you know, coming from the military."

Meyer also said that while not all basketball players are able to reach their professional dreams, MBA All-Star Weekend allows these skilled military athletes a chance to experience the thrills of high-level, competitive hoops.

"Not everybody can get the NBA experience," Meyer said. "But, what the Thunder organization has done, is given that experience to our military heroes. It's an experience that they're going to never forget."

Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City organization have consistently been active in the community since moving to the Modern Frontier in 2008. The team works with a variety of organizations in a constant effort to give back to both local and national groups.

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