October 16, 2014 – Mission Impossible star Ving Rhames made a surprise visit to NASSA, giving coaching tips and inspiring the young NASSA players.
The American actor, who is in London filming Mission Impossible 5 and who has also starred in Pulp Fiction and Con Air, spent four hours with us.
He praised the NASSA youngsters for the level of their fundamentals skill and for their commitment to the game of basketball.
Ving met Carry A Basketball Not A Blade (CABNAB) creator Anthony Okereafor to learn about what the initiative is doing to help reduce knife crime in east London.
He will return to Newham next month for a basketball challenge with NASSA players. The tournament will be dedicated to CABNAB and to the six young lives in Newham lost as a result of knife crime in the past 12 months.
NASSA Director Natasha Hart said: “It was amazing for the young people to have a Hollywood actor come and watch them play. It is really great to have the support of Mr Rhames and we are already looking forward to his next visit.”
