Fifth Annual Basketball 101 with the Los Angeles Lakers Announces 2009 Speakers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The LA Sports & Entertainment Commission’s (LASEC) exclusive Basketball 101 with the Los Angeles Lakers: The Complete Game will return to STAPLES Center on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 5 p.m. This is an officially sanctioned NBA event where guests can experience a once-in-a-lifetime experience, playing on the Lakers’ court and learning the fundamentals of basketball from some of the most knowledgeable players of the game.

Headlining the list of panelists at this year’s event is Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, who has coached his teams to a total of nine NBA championships. Also participating are guards Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar, forward Luke Walton, Lakers assistant coaches (and former NBA stars) Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw, Los Angeles Sparks head coach and former Lakers star Michael Cooper, Lakers basketball consultant (and inventor of the famed “triangle offense”) Tex Winter and retired NBA referee Hue Hollins. Lakers executive vice president Jeanie Buss will participate in a panel discussion and the event will be emceed by popular FSN personality Bill Macdonald.

This year’s Basketball 101 will include a wide array of activities. The event includes free-throw practice on the Lakers’ court, tours of the locker rooms, interaction with the panelists, a special cocktail reception and buffet dinner, gift bags, and the exclusive panel discussion and on court demonstration.

“While most people enjoy watching the Lakers on television, few have had the opportunity to get up close to see the subtle strategies in building a winning NBA team,” said Buss. “This will be a great opportunity for guests to get a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look and hear firsthand about the business of winning in the NBA.”

Confirmed sponsors to date include All Valley Washers, American Express, American Airlines, Classic Party Rentals, Covington Capital Management, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, First American Title Insurance Co., FSN West, IDS Real Estate Group, Integrated Transportation Services, Inc. (ITS), LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, Longo Toyota-Scion-Lexus and Penske Motor Group, Madame Tussauds, Majestic Realty Co., Pacific Palms Resort, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Sakaida & Sons, Sidley Austin LLP, Sport Chalet, Sprint, STAPLES Center, Ticketmaster, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and Young’s Market Company.

Individual tickets are $550 each and additional sponsorships are available. For information or to make a reservation, please contact Karina Siam at LASEC at (213) 236-2354 or e-mail her at ksiam@lasec.us.

Proceeds from the event will be split between the Lakers Youth Foundation and LASEC. LASEC is the official organization for the City of Los Angeles to seek, host, promote and retain major sporting and entertainment events that positively impact the local economy by attracting visitors to the city, giving them a reason to stay longer and return more frequently. LASEC is a private, nonprofit organization and an affiliate of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.