By By CHRIST PROKOS
Staff Writer
By CHRIST PROKOS
Staff Writer
The debate over the 15th Street basketball court next to Oakdale Cemetery has captured the attention of one NBA player who calls Washington his hometown.
The court was such a sanctuary for him as he grew up that he is offering to help finance improvements there.
Memphis Grizzlies’ guard Damien Wilkins, son of former New York Knicks guard Gerald Wilkins and nephew of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, challenged the City of Washington to fund improvements to the court instead of building a new court at Havens Gardens, as was suggested by opponents of the court being next to the cemetery.
“If the city put up $1,000, I’d put up $2,000,” Wilkins said in a phone interview Tuesday. “If the city put up $1,500, I’d put up $2,500.”
Wilkins would like to see the court repaved and restriped, along with improvements to the backboards and rims.
Philip Mobley, director of the Washington Parks and Recreation Department, respected the offer but felt it premature until the City Council renders its final decision on the future of the court.
“I appreciate (Damien’s) efforts and heart,” Mobley said. “He is a classy individual, and I appreciate what he wants to do for his community. There is nothing wrong with the court. It was the issue of respect for funerals. That’s not to say we can’t do some work out there, but it was built to withstand abuse and it has done well. We need to hear from City Council first.”
Mobley was grateful for the people who attended Monday’s meeting of the Recreation Advisory Committee to stand up in defense of the court.
“I think we had great input the other night from the advisory committee, and it was great seeing the public there,” Mobley said. “We like input from the public, and I appreciate the public coming and talking to us.”
William Conner, 43, has been playing on the 15th Street court since he was a teenager. A building-maintenance employee with the city and owner of Conner’s Cleaning Service, he was excited to hear about Wilkins’ offer and willing to get the ball rolling.
“(We) had talked about having a fundraiser to see if we couldn’t touch it up out there, at least paint the backboards,” Conner said. “There’s enough of us that go out there and play and wouldn’t mind putting money in if Damien’s going to match it. We could come up with at least $500. If Damien will add to it, that’s great.”
“That court has been there forever, and it’s brought a lot of people together,” Wilkins added. “It’s not surprising people want it to stay there, and there is more that can be done to it to get it fixed. I’m willing to help out any way I can. The more people involved, the better.”