Delaware 87ers 2017-18 Season Proved #basketballhaspower
March 21, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Delaware Blue Coats News Release
The Delaware 87ers used the 2017-18 season to prove "basketball has power."
The hashtag that came to represent the on- and off-the-court work of the team represents the importance of athletes and sports organizations connecting with the people of their community. The Sevens combined a slew of exciting home games with fun theme nights, important local partnerships and universal messages.
Take the home opener: the 87ers made it Addiction Awareness Night in support of Perk Plans Foundation. The mission of the organization is to spread awareness of addiction and assist other groups in helping people recover.
On the court, the team kept a lot of contests close, with exciting finishes across the entire home schedule at the Bob Carpenter Center. The campaign also featured appearances by players with bright futures, like Sixers assignee Furkan Korkmaz. A first-round draft pick of Philadelphia in 2016, Korkmaz had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his NBA G League debut and followed that up with a 27-point, eight-rebound outing against the Wisconsin Herd.
Delaware scooped up its first home win of the year on November 28 against Northern Arizona. James Webb III had 11 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Webb III would go on to earn a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets and made his NBA debut on January 27 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Center Emeka Okafor, who starred in the NBA for ten seasons before a neck injury forced him to the sidelines in 2013, made a successful comeback to professional basketball this season. Okafor played well for the Sevens throughout the season and eventually earned a return to NBA action with a call-up to the New Orleans Pelicans on January 3.
One of the specialties of the Sevens is the Education Day game, where the team plays a morning tilt in front of thousands of kids from local elementary and middle schools. Delaware hosted four such contests this season, two at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark and two at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. All students were treated to their own book through the team's Read87 program (more on that later) and enjoyed interactive and education vendors at each of the events, in addition to a unique anti-bullying rally.
"After doing one of my demonstrations, I had a younger student come up to me with wide-eyed excitement," said Ray Milanese of The Franklin Institute, which participated in the two Philadelphia-based Education Day events. "As proudly as she could and with an ear-to-ear smile, she said 'Someday, I'm going to grow up to be a scientist'."
The 87ers did on Feb. 28 when they hosted an open practice. Due to a snowstorm leaving many schools unable to shuttle their kids to an earlier Education Day game, the Sevens decided to invite those same children to the Bob Carpenter Center to watch the team practice and mix it up with the players and coaches.
"We worked on shooting drills, strength and conditioning drills, dribbling and passing as well," said assistant coach Dan Tacheny. "Once they get involved in the drills, it's great for them. Hopefully this develops the next generation of basketball players."
The Sevens' interaction with the children of Delaware doesn't stop once at the arena. Like in years past, multiple Sevens players made their way to local schools throughout the season, such as Bancroft Elementary and Elbert-Palmer Elementary, to read to kids of all grade levels. On top of that, the 87ers donated thousands of books to these schools in an effort to promote a lifestyle filled with reading. All told, the Sevens have distributed more than 23,000 books to local elementary school students in the past 16 months, through a unique partnership with Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.
Delaware players took the idea of giving one step further this year when they put together art kits for hospitalized children. The team drew inspiration from Emma Stumpf, who used art to express herself after being diagnosed with a brain tumor at a young age. In the spirit of Emma's bravery, the 87ers players made 100 art kits with three supplies each and donated them to kids going through similar experiences to that of Emma.
As has become a tradition in the First State, home games not only featured exciting themes, but jerseys to match them as well. Delaware hosted a Star Wars Night presented by Nemours as well as a Nickelodeon Night presented by Reybold Group, the latter of which provided fans a chance to see some of the coolest get-ups around.
The Sevens rocked Spongebob Squarepants-themed jerseys and the threads proved so popular that outlets ranging from Sports Illustrated to CNN provided coverage of the team. The now-legendary jerseys were auctioned off to fans and all proceeds went to Child Inc., which helps abused and neglected children in Delaware.
Delaware didn't stop there, however. For the second straight year, the 87ers hosted Beau Biden Foundation Night, named for the late former Attorney General of Delaware and son of Vice President Joe Biden. As he did a season ago, Vice President Biden spoke at halftime about the importance of aiding children who have been victimized by their surroundings.
In addition to helping young children, the Sevens strived to assist young adults with their Sports Business Career Fair presented by Teamwork Online. Organizations ranging from the Philadelphia 76ers to the New Jersey Devils to the Wilmington Blue Rocks came out and exchanged information with local college students who hoped to gain connections and further their career in the world of sports.
Other theme nights included Service Appreciation & First Responders Night presented by Delaware Citizens Corps, Black History Month Celebration, Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation Night, Go Green Night presented by Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Scout Night and Dinosaur Adventure Night presented by Highmark. Late in the season, the team put together Courtside Clinics presented by Optimum Health Group. Young children learned how to play basketball and stay active thanks to former Harlem Globetrotter staffer and current 87ers Ambassador of Basketball Joe Richmond.
For those dedicated fans who have supported the team for years, the Franklin Group Executive Lounge did not disappoint. Speakers such as HBSE CEO Scott O'Neil, 76ers TV play-by-play voice Marc Zumoff, 76ers studio analyst Jim Lynam and Eagles legend Vince Papale graced the venue and spoke about their experiences in life and how they got to where they are.
The final home game of the year saw the team end an era on a high note. Delaware took down Maine 126-125 in a thriller that featured an historic performance from Christian Wood. The G League All Star poured in 44 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and shot an astounding 15-22 from the field to lead the Sevens to a win.
While the 87ers organization has a lot to be proud of this season and over the course of their first five seasons in Delaware, the future is brighter than ever. With the construction of 76ers Fieldhouse, the all-new 140,000 squarfoot multipurpose complex coming to Wilmington later this year, the team will not only have its own place to call home, it will also have put an indelible mark on the community. The venue will be used for youth sports and clinics in an effort to give the children of the area an opportunity to stay active, bringing the idea that #BasketballHasPower to a whole new level.
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