PATERSON’S “NATIVE SON” TIM THOMAS AND FRIENDS GIVE BACK!

  Kennedy H.S.,Paterson,N.J…….. Tim Thomas is on the left coast now residing in California after spending 13 years in the N.B.A.  But his heart is still in Paterson which is why he and his Paterson friends James Hargrove and Larry Johnson helped create the PNBA league which has gotten some of the best players in Paterson and the surrounding areas to get on the hardwood!

 

The league which stands for Paterson Needs Big Brothers Assistance is using this 12 team 15 week league as a stepping stone to spreading it’s anti-violence theme called Guns Down, Life Up. It’s message on the court is Shoot Baskets, not People!

 

 

It was an exciting day for the league as Thomas came from Cali to lace them up for the Knicks team as they played the league undefeated Spurs team. In the building for the event was Paterson Highschool legends like Hargrove( Kennedy HS), Rory Sparrow(Eastside HS), Tony Murphy(Eastside HS) and Deshaun Williams( Paterson Catholic). The game was secondary though as there was big giveaways for the kids such as Nintendo X-Boxes, Bikes and backpacks! The atmosphere was festive and the hope is for the good spirits this day brought can continue in the future! ( Murphy, Sparrow, Thomas and Hargrove pictured)

 

 

NOTE: The Spurs proved to still be the top team in the league as they defeated the Thomas led Knicks 104-94! Antoine Morgana led the scoring for the spurs with 25 points, Antoine Obery added 23 and Omari Knox chipped in 15, Thomas finished with 26, as did Paterson’s Karon Abraham! Rashard Bishop added 18 for the Knicks team!