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Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces (BGCLC) supporters will welcome retired National Basketball Association (NBA) professional player Anthony “Spud” Webb as the guest speaker for the 15th annual Lou and Mary Henson Community Breakfast, 7 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, the nonprofit said in a news release.
During a 13-year career, Webb, a point guard, played for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves and for the Rhode Island Bulls in the United States Basketball League, Mash J. Verona Italian professional basketball club and the Idaho Stampede in the NBA G League.
Webb played collegiately at Midland Junior College and North Carolina State.
“Living in a small, three-bedroom home in Dallas, Texas, with his parents and five brothers and sisters, Webb began playing basketball at an early age and dreamed of being in the NBA,” BGCLC said. He attended the Turnkey Boys Club in Dallas.
“Although he was much smaller, he would always jump higher than the taller kids,” the news release said. “At five feet, seven inches tall, Webb made basketball history during the 1986 All Star Game, winning the Slam Dunk Contest, beating out NBA greats Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan.”
Webb’s career statics include playing in 814 games, averaging 9.9 points per game and scoring a total of 8,072 points.
Webb, 59, is currently president of basketball operations for the Texas Legends, the G League team of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
The Henson Breakfast has become the signature event for the Boys and Girls Club and the prime opportunity for community giving, with ongoing support from the Hensons, the news release said.
“We are indebted to the Henson family for their partnership and support over the last 15 years and feel honored that we have the opportunity to continue to honor Coach Henson’s legacy through our club,” BGCLC CEO Ashley Echavarria said. “Hearing from a Boys and Girls Club alumni is always a great reminder that the work we do at our club each day can result in greatness for every young person we serve. Spud Webb is living proof of that, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Las Cruces."
Sponsorships for the breakfast are available and attendance is open to all, with reservations required. All sponsors will be invited to attend a VIP reception with Webb the night before the breakfast.
BGCLC has been providing services to the youth in Las Cruces since 1963. It provides daily programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation. Serving ages 6-18, the club provides a safe environment to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and hope and opportunity, BGCLC said.
To become a breakfast sponsor and for more information, call 575-526-1519.
Visit www.bgclascruces.org.
