PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Sixers legend Allen Iverson helped cut the ribbon on a new community basketball court in West Philadelphia Wednesday morning.
Created in partnership with the Sixers and Penn Medicine, the court at Cobbs Creek Parkway has six new hoops, nets and backboards that sit on a freshly resurfaced blacktop painted Sixers blue.
Former Sixers shooting guard Iverson told children in attendance he was proud to help the Sixers and Penn Medicine unveil the space.
“This is beautiful for the community. ... This is a preliminary step to your guys’ future, to your dreams and to your success in life,” he said.
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier says Iverson is a great voice to inspire young people to play sports.
“Like no other player, he embodies the grit that Philadelphians have. And so I think it was really special to have him out here to say some words of encouragement to young people, and to have them as an advocate for these types of investments as well.”
City officials say Cobbs Creek was left behind as the city focused on more affluent neighborhoods.
“In some communities, having a renovated basketball court is like no big deal, right? But that’s not the case in Cobbs Creek,” Gauthier said.
“Philadelphia made a much lower investment in public spaces in Black and brown communities while making higher investments in public spaces in places like Chestnut Hill. This is what the Cobbs Creek neighborhood deserves,” Gauthier said.
Before the rehabilitation, the space was rundown and cared for by community volunteers.
Gauthier says there is an additional $200,000 earmarked for security measures at the new court, like lights and surveillance cameras.