OAKLAND — A room full of children is never really quiet, but the gymnasium at the Anna Marie Whalen Boys & Girls Club on High Street in Oakland was nearly silent Tuesday afternoon.
A rousing daily afternoon exercise session, filled with sit-ups and jumping jacks, had worn out the approximately 120 youths sprawled on the gymnasium floor. The children's constant chatter and occasional shouting had simmered to a low hum.
That is, until Baron Davis walked in.
The former Golden State Warriors star sauntered through the double doors of the gymnasium in a navy-blue polo shirt with the logo of his foundation, Rising Stars of America, and matching basketball shorts. The low hum in the gym amplified into a chorus of screams as the resting youths noticed the 29-year-old NBA player making his way to the front.
Davis made a surprise visit to the Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday in partnership with Microsoft's campaign to educate children and their families about safe gaming practices and the importance of physical fitness and education. Through the partnership, Davis is donating Xbox 360 consoles, which are manufactured by Microsoft, to each of the area branches of the Boys & Girls Club.
But when Davis walked into the gym this afternoon, the children didn't know that. Some of them didn't even know who he was.
As Davis walked toward the stage at the front of the gym, most of the children ran up to and swarmed the 6-foot-3-inch
A group of 15 to 20 young girls in the back, however, didn't even budge until Davis asked the "princesses" to join the others.
Perched on the edge of the stage, Davis began to talk to the children about exercise's importance.
"Physical activity strengthens your brain," he said. "You don't want to walk around being weak."
Davis leaned toward the crowd, as if he were going to share a secret.
"I want you guys to make me a promise," he said.
He urged the crowd to exercise for just as much time, if not more, than they spent playing video games.
The children agreed to the promise with as much enthusiasm as they had elicited in welcoming Davis into the gym.
When Davis opened the floor for questions, the children let loose, asking him whether it were true he was playing for the Los Angeles Clippers next season (yes), and if his new team would be able to beat the Los Angeles Lakers (yes, and the Warriors and Boston Celtics, too).
Davis also gave a reason for leaving the Bay Area for his hometown of Los Angeles.
"The Warriors, they kicked me out of town," he said.
One boy asked Davis why he can be seen getting angry sometimes when he plays basketball. Davis' tone softened a bit as he answered.
"Basketball is something that I played all my life," he said. "For me, it was a way to get away from all the problems I was having as a kid."
Davis told the kids he was giving the club an Xbox, the second-largest surprise of the day, but the reaction was fairly mild.
After fielding a few more questions, including someone who asked who he was, the crowd broke into groups to give Davis a chance to take pictures and play sports with the children.
Branch Director Chris Logwood said he only had a week to prepare for Davis' arrival, but he welcomed the former Warriors star because he's always ready for presentations that deal with education and physical fitness.
Daryl Roper, director of the Rising Stars of America foundation, came with Davis, whom he coached at Crossroads School in Los Angeles.
Roper said even though children are into technology, it's still important to encourage exercise.
"We're not going to take (the games) away from them (so) let's balance," he said.
A spokeswoman from Microsoft said working with Davis and the Boys & Girls Club was a "natural fit" because of Davis' desire to work with the community. She said that though games can help children develop good decision-making skills, it's important for parents to monitor their children to make sure they are getting enough exercise.
Alonzo Pharr, 10, said he gets exercise by playing football. Pharr said it was "cool" to have Davis come by the Boys & Girls Club.
"I thought he wasn't Baron Davis," he said about his reaction to the star's appearance.
Alonzo said he plays for a youth football team and that Davis' message about the importance of physical activity was true.
Davis said he is committed to the Bay Area and will continue to do work here while reaching out to the community in Los Angeles.
"Kids need to get out and play and be kids," he said.
Reach Shauntel Lowe at slowe@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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