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To the average person living outside of Houston, July 13 is just another hot summer day.
To residents of Houston and surrounding areas, it is recognized as “713 Day”; the numbers are the initial area code created in 1947 for the city.
On Thursday, the Rockets partnered with Houston Parks and Recreation Department and launched a campaign called “713 Day of Basketball.” Former players hosted seven free youth basketball clinics at community centers around the city.
“Anytime I see 713, I think of Houston,” said native Houstonian and former Rockets player Gerald Green, who, along with Steve Francis and NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews, led basketball-related activities for children at the Moody Community Center.
“It is a great day to go out and play basketball,” Green added. “The Houston Rockets are very big in the community, so why not go out on ‘713 Day,’ play some basketball and enjoy yourself.”
Also in attendance was the president of basketball operations for the Rockets, Gretchen Sheirr, who made the Moody Community Center her final stop of the “713 Day of Basketball” activities.
“I came to this location because two years ago, in partnership with Memorial Herman Hospital, it was one of the first courts we refurbished,” Sheirr told reporters. “We want to make sure that kids will have the resources to develop the skills they need to play the game of basketball.”
“Anytime I see 713, I think of Houston,” said native Houstonian and former Houston Rockets player Gerald Green at Moody Community Center on Thursday. He was there as part of the Rockets community service campaign “713 Day of Basketball” #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/wgebtF3Oon
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) July 14, 2023
The Rockets also gave each child who participated at all seven locations a “713 Day of Basketball” T-shirt and a voucher for a special $7.13 ticket to select Rockets games during the season.
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