Clippers Host LA Parks and Recreation Girls Basketball Finals

Young hoopers compete for city championship at Intuit Dome

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:40am

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The city of Los Angeles' Parks and Recreation league hosted its annual girls basketball finals at the Intuit Dome, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Teams of young players, some as short as 4 feet tall, competed for the city championship in front of enthusiastic crowds of family and friends.

Why it matters

The Parks and Rec league provides affordable basketball opportunities for thousands of girls across Los Angeles, helping develop the next generation of local talent. The Clippers' involvement in hosting the finals aligns with the team's community initiatives and the upcoming LA28 Olympics, which aim to increase youth sports participation.

The details

The championship matchup was between Team Fernangeles and Penmar Rec Center, with fans describing the young players as 'small, mighty, and scrappy' as they fought for every loose ball. Most participants pay just $10 for the entire season thanks to the PlayLA initiative, which is funded by LA28 and the International Olympic Committee.

  • The annual Parks and Rec girls basketball finals took place on April 2, 2026.
  • This is the second year the Clippers have hosted the championship event at the Intuit Dome.

The players

Leyna Weber

A fan attending the championship game.

Olivia Valencia

A player competing in the finals.

Kyle Salvador

A fan and family member of a player.

Zoe Ma

A player with dreams of continuing her basketball career in college.

PlayLA

An initiative funded by LA28 and the International Olympic Committee that provides affordable youth sports programs in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“They are small. They're mighty. They're scrappy. They'll fight for every loose ball.”

— Leyna Weber, Fan

“I don't know, it's exciting.”

— Olivia Valencia, Player

“Just excited for her and proud of her.”

— Kyle Salvador, Fan

“I want to play in college, but I don't want to go far from here.”

— Zoe Ma, Player

What’s next

The winners of the Parks and Rec girls basketball finals will advance to represent Los Angeles in regional and state-level tournaments.

The takeaway

The Clippers' hosting of the Parks and Rec girls basketball finals highlights the team's commitment to supporting youth sports and developing the next generation of local basketball talent. The affordable, accessible nature of the league ensures girls from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their hoop dreams.