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KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(KCTV) - You might not realize how many Kansas City kids have made it to the pros until you see a whole crew of them in a high school gym.
Thats exactly what happened Friday night at the opening event of the fourth annual Winners Cup Weekend, a three-day celebration of mentorship, athletics and community investment organized by the Winners Circle Collective, a Kansas City-based nonprofit co-founded by professional athletes with roots in the city.
Seven current and former professional athletes in basketball and football are taking part in the weekends events, which include free youth clinics and a family block party open to the public.
Fridays celebrity basketball game served as the weekends primary fundraiser, with community influencers, business owners and local leaders taking the court coached by two pro basketball players with KC roots.
How it started Ishmael Ish Wainright, a forward for Hapoel Tel Aviv, attended Raytown South High School before going on to play professionally.
He co-founded the Winners Circle Collective with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Charles Harris and their managers, Renee Mangum and Dorian Giles.
Wainright spends his entire off-season in Kansas City he returned from Tel Aviv about a month ago and wanted a way to give back while he was home.
What started as a grassroots idea to get Kansas City athletes together has grown into a regional nonprofit platform focused on youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Theyre learning the people who walked the same school hallways as them, drove on the same streets, grew up in the same neighborhoods that they can do it, said Dorian Giles, Winners Circle Collective executive director and co-founder.
Giles is a graduate of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and the University of Missouri.
He noted that this weekends activities are just part of the mission.
The Collective also runs year-round programming including The Build, an entrepreneurship development program, and Run with Winners, a health and wellness initiative for entrepreneurs and community members.
We do the camps, but we also host events for young entrepreneurs as well, Giles said.
So theyre learning how to become an athlete, and then when they become an athlete, take the business part, the brand, and develop that as well.
The athletes Wainright described watching the project grow.
This was our vision and its getting bigger and bigger and bigger every year, Wainright said.
This is my love.
Mitch Tinsley, a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, grew up in Kansas City and attended Lees Summit High School.
Hell be coaching at Sundays free football clinic.
Coming back here means a lot, Tinsley said.
Its where I was born and raised.
Its where all my family is.
Utah Jazz shooting guard Tamar Bates grew up in Kansas City, Kan., and attended Piper High School.
He had been trying to participate in Winners Cup Weekend for three years before his schedule finally aligned this year.
His message to the kids at Saturdays free basketball clinic will be about patience and perseverance.
A lot of kids, especially in todays day and age, want instant oatmeal.
They want overnight success, Bates said.
And I feel like myself and other athletes whether its basketball or football that made it out of Kansas City, we all fell in love with the process of getting better.
Just the grind that it takes, year after year, and the focus that it takes.
Wainrights message to the kids is simpler and a little lighter.
Have fun.
Its okay to mess up.
If you need help, ask for help, he said.
But also, have fun while youre doing it.
Asked why so many of the athletes seemed to radiate genuine joy throughout the evening, Wainright didnt hesitate.
We are blessed.
We are alive.
We are giving back to the community, he said.
Were having fun while were doing it.
Whats still ahead this weekend Registration for the free youth clinics is closed, but anyone is welcome at the Legacy Makers Field Day a free, family-friendly block party on Saturday, July 25, from 2-6 p.m.
at the Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 E.
17th Terrace, Kansas City, Mo.
The event features games, music, food, bounce houses and Black-owned business pop-ups, celebrating community and KC pride.
For more information, visit winnerscirclekc.com.
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