Alonzo Mourning wants South Florida’s lawyers to compete on a different type of court when he hosts the third annual Zo’s Hoop-Law Madness 3-on-3 Charitable Basketball Tournament.
Proceeds from the March 11 event will benefit the Overtown Youth Center, a nonprofit that “seeks to inspire and empower the lives of at-risk youth and families by connecting them to positive role models, enhancing their educational experience and exposing them to life-changing opportunities.”
The NBA Hall-of-Famer’s good-cause tournament will consist of 20 teams, each made up of attorneys and legal staff. Firms can register multiple teams to vie for the title and “earn bragging rights as the reigning Zo’s Hoop-Law Champions.”
“Bringing the South Florida legal community together under one roof will show our young men and women from Overtown that legal professionals believe in them,” Mourning said in a release. “So many times we find our youth on the other side of the law; however, this is an exciting opportunity for lawyers to get engaged in supporting the life-changing work that happens at the Overtown Youth Center.”
Registration begins 7 a.m. March 11 and the first-round of games starts at 9 a.m. in OYC’s gymnasium, 450 NW 14th St. in Miami. A charitable donation of $1,250 is requested from each law firm that participates.
“We can count on the legal community to assist us in providing our kids the opportunity to have a bright future,” said Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin attorney Stephen A. Marino Jr., chairman of the board of the Overtown Youth Center, in a release. “South Florida law firms have shown time and time again their spirit of generosity when it comes to inspiring, empowering and enriching the lives of those in need in our community.”
Some of the firms participating this year include: the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office; Stroock, Bilzin Sumberg; Shutts & Bowen LLP; Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin; Shook Hardy Bacon; Pathman Lewis; Akerman; Eaton & Wolk PL; Harke Clasby/ Vasallo Law; and Rasco Klock.
The youth center focuses on providing comprehensive development services to students in elementary through post-secondary schools. In addition to academics, every student can join the enrichment classes of culinary, dance, music, STEM, art and more.
Since it started in 2003, all of the Overtown Youth Center seniors have graduated from high school and pursued college, vocational programs or employment.
Watch the video and get more on sponsorships, registration and the tournament’s rules and regulations at https://overtownyouth.org/annual-events/zos-hoop-law, or call 305-349-1204 ext. 228.
The Overtown Youth Center was co-founded by Mourning and real-estate developer Martin Z. Marguiles. Year round activities also include a parent enrichment program and post-high school support to over 400 youth and families in the Overtown neighborhood and surrounding areas.
