GeneralBy Kevin McGuire on

It all started as an innocent enough act to encourage kids to continue playing basketball and staying active, but the story of Gainesville Police Officer Bobby White continues to spread a positive vibe in Florida. A month after catching some fame for his decision to play basketball with some kids that were apparently the cause of a noise complaint, White helped break in a brand new basketball court for the kids, and he did so with a little help from a Harlem Globetrotter.

First, the quick recap of what led to this groundbreaking, courtesy of WCMH;

According to the Gainesville Police Department, White responded to northwest Gainesville on the report of loud children playing in the streets. Instead of breaking up the game, White joined the kids, just thrilled that they were outside enjoying the weather.

The hashtag #HoopsNotCrime quickly spread across social media, as well as the video of White playing with the kids. Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal even stopped in Gainesville to play with the kids.

Fast forward to now. Buckets Blakes joined Officer White and some kids from the neighborhood for a little one-on-one on the freshly minted “HoopsNotCrime court in the backyard of the mother of one of the kids White joined earlier this year.

This is exactly why the Harlem Globetrotters continue to be such a great ambassador for the sport of basketball. The Globetrotters are always there to encourage others to enjoy the sport at any level, and having one of their players there to help spread awareness for this new foundation, the Basketball Cop Foundation, continues to live up to the mission of the Harlem Globetrotters. And good for White for using this to help motivate others to get involved in a positive way.

[WCMH]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.

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