Since its opening in September 2025, the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center has served as a hub for young athletes. Operated by Brooklyn Basketball — a partnership between the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty — the facility aims to empower youth through after-school programs, clinics and community events.
From April 6-10, the center hosted its Spring Recess clinic, where 27 girls ages 6-17 trained with top staff and learned from Liberty coaches.
On April 8, participants were joined by New York Liberty Head Coach Chris DeMarco and members of his coaching staff for a morning panel discussing their roles in the organization, the importance of creating opportunities for young girls in sports, and their connection to Brooklyn. Assistant coaches Courtney Paris and Addi Walters, along with player development coach Kristin Mann, also spoke with attendees.
During the panel, several young athletes eagerly raised their hands, asking questions about being confident on the court, coaches’ favorite players and what it takes to make a team. DeMarco was asked what advice he would give to young girls hoping to excel in the sport, to which he spoke about team camaraderie and how the skills transfer to all aspects of life.
Since his hiring in December, DeMarco said he has quickly embraced both the team and its home borough.
“I absolutely love it,” he told Brooklyn Paper. “There’s something really special about New York City — and Brooklyn in general. Just the energy of the city, heading into work in the morning, seeing people out after work — it feels like there’s an energy that’s one of a kind.”
That energy, DeMarco said, extends directly into the basketball community.
“This is just a really cool thing — what Brooklyn Basketball is doing for the community,” he said. “It’s something I’ve never seen before. To have this kind of curriculum, right across the street from where we play, whether you’re just starting out or trying to take the next step — it’s all here.”
While his schedule will become more demanding during the season, which opens May 8, DeMarco emphasized that staying connected to programs like the clinic remains a priority.
“The reason I fell in love with basketball is because of something similar to this,” he said. “Somebody impacted me when I was a kid. So being around these kids — it’s one of my favorite things to do.”
The all-girls clinic, in particular, reflects the growing momentum behind women’s basketball and the importance of creating dedicated spaces for young athletes.
“I just think the growth of the game — and the growth of the WNBA — is giving kids goals they can reach,” DeMarco said. “If they want to play professionally, that path is there. And even if not, this is such a great environment for camaraderie, competition and building friendships.”
As he prepares for his first season leading the Liberty, DeMarco said he’s most looking forward to experiencing Brooklyn’s passion for sports up close.
“I’ll walk by people, and they’re debating games, talking about teams — I love that,” he said. “And I’m excited to experience the arena, the fans, all of it. You can feel it building.”
For more information on Brooklyn Basketball programming, visit brooklyn-basketball.com.
