LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATION PARTNERS WITH LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL DURING ALL-STAR WEEK TO INSPIRE AND SUPPORT YOUTH REHABILITATION

Former NBA, WNBA, ABA, and Harlem Globetrotters players engage youth in custody through mental wellness and re-entry focused programming

LOS ANGELES, CA —During All-Star Week 2026, the Los Angeles County Probation Department is partnering with Legends of Basketball and Hushed No More Presents to host Rebound to Re-Entry, an All-Star–inspired initiative focused on mental wellness, resilience, and successful re-entry for youth in custody.

From February 10 through February 12, retired NBA, WNBA, ABA, and Harlem Globetrotters players visited Camp Afflerbaugh, Camp Glenn Rockey, and Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility, engaging directly with youth through interactive programming designed to inspire reflection, growth, and hope.

At each location, small groups of retired professional athletes led candid discussions and breakout sessions centered on mental health, perseverance, and life after major transitions. Drawing from their own experiences navigating identity, pressure, and life beyond professional sports, the athletes connected those lessons to the challenges youth face as they prepare for re-entry into their communities.

“These conversations matter because they introduce new voices, lived experiences, and perspectives our youth don’t always have access to,” said Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa. “By bringing people from different backgrounds into our facilities—especially those who have faced public pressure, setbacks, and reinvention—we are expanding how youth see themselves, their potential, and their future. Rehabilitation is not one-size-fits-all, and partnerships like this help meet young people where they are.”

Panelists emphasized parallels between retiring from professional athletics and re-entering the community—both moments requiring resilience, self-reflection, and the ability to redefine success. The sessions provided youth with practical tools, encouragement, and a reminder that setbacks do not define a person’s future.

“It’s powerful to see these athletes’ step into our facilities and speak honestly with young people,” said Leslie Johnson, retired WNBA player and founder of Hushed No More Presents. “They are giving up part of All-Star Week to connect, listen, and show youth that mental wellness, growth, and second chances matter.”

Rebound to Re-Entry reflects Los Angeles County Probation’s broader commitment to rehabilitation through mentorship, mental health awareness, and community-based partnerships. The initiative highlights the value of authentic dialogue and diverse role models in helping youth build confidence, resilience, and a vision for life beyond the justice system.

Click here to enjoy a short video.

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