Isaiah Thomas has court named after him in his hometown


This recent West coast road-trip for the Boston Celtics has meant a little more to Isaiah Thomas than the usual. After the C's game Thursday night in Portland Isaiah took his Friday off-day to oversee the unveiling of a long-time personal project he's been a part of. Thomas grew up in the city of Tacoma, Washington, and the Boy's and Girl's Club was an important part of his childhood. On Friday he headed to his hometown, about a half hour drive outside of Seattle, to visit the Al Davies' Boy's & Girl's Club and help unveil their new basketball court that's been named after him.


Emotions ran high for Isaiah, as it clearly meant a lot for him to become a part of an organization and city that meant so much to him growing up. Via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe:

“Ever since I was a little boy I wanted a gym,” Thomas said. “I see Jamal Crawford has an outdoor court up in Seattle, and you see guys from around the country having their own gyms. That’s something I always wanted, so for it to happen is a blessing.”

Thomas contributed $80,000 dollars to the $150,000 project to renovate the gymnasium, and he partnered with Lowes and the NBA Players Association to cover the remaining costs. Aside from IT's name being a part of the designs they used some of his signature lines to decorate the gym and provide a little extra motivation for the young Boy's & Girl's Club members - including his signature "Pick me last again!":


Isaiah joked with the kids in attendance at the ribbon cutting that they better put the new gym to good use. Via The News Tribune:

“I always dreamed of having a gym,” he told the kids. “Now y’all better use it.”


Realated: Isaiah Thomas was named after Pistons legend because his father lost a bet

Photo Credit - Drew Perine/The News Tribune

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