Laker players pay visit to Boys & Girls Club kids

The heat and humidity in the Charles C. Spalding Clubhouse gym in McCully on Monday was oppressive but not nearly enough to wilt the determined smiles of Los Angeles Lakers players Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle as they gripped, grinned and shaka’d their way through a meeting with some 200 young members of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.

The second-year standouts, who are in town for the Lakers’ preseason camp, were on hand to share a few encouraging words with the star-struck youth and to help present a $205,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Honolulu, Chevron and the Lakers Youth Foundation which will be used to renovate the gym.

“It’s just giving back,” said Randle, who missed much of his rookie season last year with a broken leg. “A lot of people helped us on our way to get here, and it’s important for us to try to encourage the kids who are following us.”

The Lakers’ relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii dates from 2005, when it donated funds for the club’s reading room.

Cerima Noh, 13, said she was excited at the prospect of air conditioning, a new court and new bleachers at the gym she has been using for the last five years.

She found the opportunity to have a photo taken with Randle and Clarkson equally thrilling.

“Not a lot of famous people come to Hawaii, and when they do I don’t get to see them,” Cerima said. “It’s so awesome that the Lakers actually came here to see us.”

Clarkson, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team last season, recalled his experiences going to the Boys Club in San Antonio and encouraged the kids in the audience to chase their dreams.

“Who knows?” Clarkson said. “Maybe one day you’ll be up here on this stage talking to some people in Hawaii in a Laker shirt and spreading the same message.”

Natalie Pawluk, director of BGCH’s Spalding Clubhouse, said the Lakers’ appearance meant “everything” to the club’s ongoing efforts to support Hawaii youth.

“Our everyday goal is to build these kids up and give them opportunities so they know that with hard work they can be successful in whatever they do,” she said. “To have them come here and reinforce that message is so powerful.”

The Lakers face the Utah Jazz at 6 tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center in the second of two preseason games in Hawaii.