American Legion promotes community engagement in inaugural 3x3 youth basketball tournament

Legendary basketball player and coach, Phil Jackson, once shared the enduring qualities players gain from the game.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,” Jackson famously remarked.

It's this spirit of comradery and selflessness that the American Legion is hoping to instill in area youth as it hosts its first 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

Local columnist: Bill Russell and Nichelle Nichols and their greatest roles you may not know

Local prep: Why Johnson's K'Lya Hankerson followed her teammate to play basketball at Savannah State

Recent local prep news: How the Savannah Country Day basketball programs will look after a pair of coaching changes

"We hope they gain that sense of teamwork and what it entails to be a solid team," shared Commander Casey Nash of the American Legion Post 184.

It's a message that aligns with The American Legion's core values including family, community engagement, and selfless service.

"Veterans know how to be a great teammate. I believe the current generation of veterans joining our American Legion want to be in the community and give back to families who are in need," Nash added.

The tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Pooler Recreation Center. Boys and Girls ages 10 through 18 years old are invited to play, with team registration costing $75. There are cash prizes for the top winning teams, but more importantly, remaining funds will be donated toward youth scholarships, organizers shared.

Georgia Southern Extra: Men's hoops gets Sun Belt slate and 'reunion' games with Byington

It's the first of its kind event for the local chapters of the legion, which began when members started at looking at ways to get youth more involved in the group's community-focused efforts.

"Last year, a group of legionnaires and myself started brainstorming on how we could get the kids out of their house and off the video games," Commander Nash said. "We saw 3-on-3 basketball tournaments helped in another state’s American Legion and we wanted to bring it to the community and let children have an outlet from the day-to-day routines."

The American Legion was originally chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary WWI veterans into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States, the group's website states.

In Savannah, the legion's longtime bar on Bull Street near Forsyth Park is a popular spot for veterans, locals, and tourists alike.

More: How former Savannah High basketball star Chris Cokley hopes to impact community with camp

But Commander Nash says the group, which has five different legions throughout Chatham County, wants the community to think of the organization more than just a bar and social atmosphere. The group hopes events like these can help drive more outside community involvement.

"Our members are out helping veterans, assisting high schoolers with scholarships, and advocating for veterans young and old in Congress," Commander Nash added. "Locally we want to share that knowledge about the veteran community and the American Legion."

Beyond the basketball tournament, the legion also has several more events planned including a 9/11 Remembrance event at American Legion Post 184 in Thunderbolt; a veterans claim clinic where veterans who need assistance with VA claims can receive assistance in October; and a veteran retreat Nov. 4 through 6 at Black Creek Boy Scout Reservation in Sylvania.

Prep highlights: How Veronica Sierzant landed with dream school Syracuse to play volleyball

By doing good for not just veterans, but all walks of life in the community, the American Legion hopes to spur more interest in the group's selfless teamwork.

"We hope that the community and children see our American Legion Veterans are here for the community," Commander Nash shared.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA events: 3 vs. 3 youth basketball tournament in Pooler