'Basketball Cop' holds all-star tournament

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A foundation created by a Gainesville police officer who has become known as the “Basketball Cop” is holding its first-ever high school all-star game.

Gainesville Police Officer Bobby White, continues to be recognized after a video went viral of him playing basketball with a group of children. A resident complained in January that the boys were making too much noise, but instead of reprimanding them, White joined them in a game of basketball. 

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Since then, White has given the kids their own basketball court, and Buckets Blakes of the Harlem Globetrotters and Shaquille O’Neal have made surprise visits to Gainesville to play basketball with the boys.

The "all-star game" will be held at 6:30 p.m. on on March 14, at Gainesville High School. 

High school all-stars will play local police departments in a "high-school rules" game.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for kids 12 and under.

Proceeds will go to support the newly created Basketball Cop Foundation, which works to deliver portable hoops to neighborhoods and help build permanent courts in larger areas.

For more information, visit the foundation’s website


About the Author:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.