Jamie Foxx funds upgrades to basketball courts in his Terrell hometown, providing resurfacing and improvements to Breezy Hill Park’s existing courts as a gift to his community, according to a Dallas Morning News article which reports,
“Actor Jamie Foxx and Gilbert Willie Jr. go way back — they regard each other as best friends. So, it makes sense that Foxx would turn to Willie in providing a gift to his hometown of Terrell.
The gift? Foxx and his charity organization funded resurfacing and upgrading the city’s three existing basketball courts at Breezy Hill Park near where Foxx grew up.
The city announced the gift on its Facebook page over the Memorial Day weekend. The upgrades are to the park’s full-size court and smaller adjacent courts.
“This was all from Jamie,” Willie said. “He wanted to do something for his hometown.””
The court features the words “Terrell Fighting Tigers” and honors Gilbert Willie Sr., a beloved figure in the community, according to an Audacy article. In it they say,
“”Look what’s new at Breezy Hill Park! Let’s play ball! A shout out to Jamie Foxx and Gilbert Willie Charities for making this awesome court possible!” the city wrote in a Facebook post announcing the new basketball court. The court also has the words “Terrell Fighting Tigers” and “Gilbert Willie Charities” near the sidelines to honor his friend’s father, Gilbert Willie Sr., worked as a coach, teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in Terrell ISD for more than 30 years. Maybe DFW’s next basketball star will learn to play on this court.”
Jamie Foxx’s generous donation covered the majority of the $170,000 to $180,000 renovation cost, which involved fixing fences, concrete work, and addressing code issues. NexCourt, based in Euless, designed the tiled courts.
