Ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Paul George stopped by South Lakes Park to put the finishing touches on a project he started when he played for the Thunder.
George dedicated the fishing dock at South Lakes Park and participated in the ribbon cutting Monday.
This project started as early as November 2017 when the Paul George Foundation created an outdoor initiative with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
His foundation sponsored the OK Fishing In the Schools program for 13 schools in the Oklahoma City School District, according to the Oklahoman, and held a Top Golf fundraiser last year.
On Monday, George stood with a group of kids holding fishing poles to cut the ribbon and open the dock.
It’s official. The Paul George Fishing Dock is open for business. pic.twitter.com/VASZqDo8uX
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 2, 2020
Of course, the dock was modeled to look like a basketball court.
“The idea of starting my foundation started here,” George said to a crowd at the dock, according to The Oklahoman. “And it came from you guys embracing me and taking me in as one of your own. And in return, honestly I didn’t know any other way than to give back and be a part of the community.”
Pretty cool scene for the Paul George fishing dock dedication. The dock was created to look like a basketball court. pic.twitter.com/gpL00kTrdN
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) March 2, 2020
George was joined by some Clippers teammates, Los Angeles head coach Doc Rivers and Thunder general manager Sam Presti, according to the Oklahoman.
George has been an ardent fisherman since childhood, often going with his dad and kids in the neighborhood, according to the Oklahoman. He told the outlet he was teaching his daughter, who was 3 when the article was published in 2017.
The Thunder and Clippers play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
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