(Memphis) Grizzlies Star Marc Gasol made a group of South Memphis children very happy Wednesday.
He showed-up to the Boys and Girls Club to announce his latest challenge.
Gasol is squaring-off against his brother Pau Gasol of the L.A. Lakers to see who can get a group of kids fit first.
“I am going to give you the ball and you are going to try and school me,” said Marc Gasol to a kid.
It’s not every day you get to meet a sports star and even rarer to play basketball with him.
A group of South Memphis kids reveled in the opportunity even though making a shot against the 7’1 player isn’t easy.
The Grizzlies player has an even bigger challenge for the kids, “Because when you are healthier, you are happier.”
He’s asking them to get fit this Summer.
“Less sitting on couches, less video games,” said Charles Griffin, the vice president of operations for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis.
About 40 kids will get Nike FuelBands to track their progress and they’ll compete against a team of kids in LA who will be coached by Marc’s brother Pau.
“They are spearheading this,” said Griffin about the basketball star brothers. “They are funding this.”
Whichever team loses, that coach, Pau or Marc, will shave their beard and the team that wins will receive a special prize, yet to be announced.
“What are you hoping to achieve?” asked Reporter Sabrina Hall.
“I am hoping to lose my gut,” said Booker T. Washington Student Kennerio Roberson.
They Healthy Competition officially starts June 10 and will end August 2.
That’s the day the losing coach will shave his beard.
