For the past 13 years, the Caribbean Bottling Company (Bahamas) Ltd. and Sprite have supported basketball initiatives, around the country, as a way to provide positive activities for young Bahamian men and women throughout the summer months. This year, they will once again support a number of basketball tournaments, camps and community outreach programs, inclusive of the International Basketball Academy, Kevin Johnson Basketball Camp, The Sons and Daughters of Zion Apostolic Tabernacle Church Tournament, United Through Us, and the Lucayan Basketball Club. 

"Each summer, we proudly support various summer camps, youth groups, and community outreach programs, but we are always particularly excited to see these young players take to the court." noted Nikia Wells, Communications Marketing Manager. "Each year we are always impressed by the sportsmanship, excitement, and level of athleticism displayed by the young men and women who take part."

CBC will be providing each of the groups with Dasani water and Sprite and to keep the players hydrated and refreshed, as well as Sprite gift bags for their top players. 

The International Basketball Academy's 5th Annual "Super 60 & Hot 100 Showdown" will take place from June 25-27 and the 7th Annual Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Summer Camp, will take place from June 28-July 16. 

CBC has supported the Kevin Johnson Basketball Camp for a number of years, and Coach Johnson will once again help develop the talents of young players as they hone their skills and become more disciplined in the sport. The camp has been around for two decades, and aims to instill lifelong skills, such as discipline and positive attitudes, in the kids. 

The Sons and Daughters of Zion Apostolic Tabernacle Church will host their first basketball tournament on June 18-19 at the Garden Hills Park. According to Minister Godfrey Bowe, their aim is to provide outreach to children from various communities.

United Through Us is an ongoing basketball program, which takes place each Saturday from 10am-4pm. According to Lamont Bain, President of United Through Us, the program was designed to teach the children in the community discipline through basketball and conflict resolution skills by fostering comradery.

The Lucayan Basketball Club was founded by Mr. Ricardo Lees Jr. and Tamaro Butler. Lees has worked as a guidance counsellor and basketball coach, and Butler has long been an avid player, coach, and basketball enthusiast. The pair noted that they wanted to help young players develop their skills and gain connections with colleges and universities to continue to advance in the sport. On June 5, the group will host their first walk-a-thon and raffle to raise funding to help offset the travel expenses for players.

Wells added that although the annual Sprite Basketball Tournament, which was hosted by Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Caribbean Bottling Company, will not take place this year, they are hopeful that it will return in the near future.