Denver Nuggets Host Special Olympics Basketball Clinic

NBA players team up with Special Olympics athletes for a day of hoops and inspiration.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The Denver Nuggets took a break from their regular practice to host a basketball clinic with over 100 Special Olympics athletes from across Colorado. Players like Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown, and Peyton Watson joined the Special Olympics participants on the court at Ball Arena, putting their skills to the test and bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' outreach to the Special Olympics community demonstrates the team's commitment to using their platform to inspire the next generation of athletes and give back to their local community. Events like this clinic help break down barriers, promote inclusion, and show the power of sports to bring people together.

The details

The Special Olympics athletes traveled from all over Colorado to participate in the clinic and have the chance to play basketball alongside their NBA heroes. The Nuggets players expressed how much they enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of the young athletes, with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Peyton Watson all praising the experience.

  • The basketball clinic took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Nikola Jokic

A star player for the Denver Nuggets.

Aaron Gordon

A forward for the Denver Nuggets.

Bruce Brown

A guard for the Denver Nuggets.

Peyton Watson

A player for the Denver Nuggets.

Special Olympics Colorado

The local chapter of the global organization that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's great! They put a smile on your face, for sure. It's amazing the energy they have and how happy they are and they're living in the moment.”

— Nikola Jokic (CBS News Colorado)

“Just the opportunity and how much the kids enjoy basketball and the chance to be in the NBA arena and play with NBA players, I think it's really special.”

— Aaron Gordon (CBS News Colorado)

“The game is amazing, but you use the game as a tool to inspire kids to inspire the next generation of people who want to do it and have aspirations to do it as well, and I think the outreach to the community just means so much.”

— Peyton Watson (CBS News Colorado)

What’s next

The Denver Nuggets plan to continue their community outreach efforts, with more clinics and events scheduled throughout the year to engage with local youth and organizations.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' basketball clinic with Special Olympics Colorado demonstrates the power of sports to bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire the next generation. Events like this help foster inclusion, promote physical activity, and strengthen the bond between professional athletes and their local community.