Lake Charles Hosts First NJCAA Women's Basketball Dream Recipient

17-year-old London Potts surprised with VIP experience at championship tournament

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:55am

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17-year-old London Potts from Charlotte, North Carolina was selected as the first recipient of the Dream on 3 organization's special gift to attend the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Women's Basketball Championship in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Potts, who lives with an intellectual and developmental disability, was referred for the experience by her school and arrived in Lake Charles on Sunday with her parents to attend the tournament semifinals and championship game as a VIP with courtside seats.

Why it matters

The partnership between Dream on 3 and the NJCAA is new, and London Potts is the first participant in the NJCAA x Dream On 3 initiative, which aims to grant sports dreams to children with life-altering conditions. This experience highlights the positive impact that hosting major sporting events can have on local communities and individual lives.

The details

London Potts thought she was just going to a dance on Saturday night, but was surprised with a plane ride to Lake Charles to attend the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. Along with her parents, Marcus and Renisha Potts, and Dream on 3 co-founder Elizabeth Lindsey, London arrived in Lake Charles on Sunday and stayed at the L'Auberge hotel, ate at local restaurants, and saw alligators, in addition to watching the tournament semifinals and championship game as VIPs with courtside seats.

  • On Saturday night, London Potts was surprised with a plane ride from Charlotte, North Carolina to Lake Charles.
  • London Potts arrived in Lake Charles on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • London Potts attended the tournament semifinals on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • London Potts attended the championship game on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

London Potts

A 17-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina who lives with an intellectual and developmental disability and was selected as the first recipient of the Dream on 3 organization's special gift to attend the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

Marcus Potts

London Potts' father, who traveled with her to Lake Charles.

Renisha Potts

London Potts' mother, who traveled with her to Lake Charles.

Elizabeth Lindsey

Co-founder of the Dream on 3 organization, which granted London Potts' sports dream.

Eric Zartler

Executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority and senior vice president of sports at Visit Lake Charles, who said hosting the NJCAA championship is a special experience.

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What they’re saying

“My sports dream is to be a VIP at the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship.”

— London Potts

“For us, it was just a call to action, just mission work to be able to serve our community. All our experiences are built around sports (and) giving kiddos who may not have been eligible for other wish, dream type opportunities a space where we're providing the sports experiences to kiddos that are like truly living with life-altering conditions.”

— Elizabeth Lindsey, Co-founder, Dream on 3

“It's one of those things where we're not always chosen for an experience like this. So to actually know that she was chosen for it, and then to know that we're traveling to Louisiana, we're still taking it all in.”

— Renisha Potts, London Potts' mother

“It's just something really special that we get to be a part of thanks to hosting the Junior College National Championships. It's just one of those things in sports and brings everybody together … To be able to be a part of fulfilling a young lady's dreams is amazing, and we're just thankful to be a small part of that.”

— Eric Zartler, Executive Director, Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority

What’s next

The NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship is scheduled to be held in Lake Charles in both 2027 and 2028, providing more opportunities for the Dream on 3 organization to grant sports dreams to children with life-altering conditions.

The takeaway

This story highlights the positive impact that hosting major sporting events can have on local communities and individual lives. The partnership between Dream on 3 and the NJCAA is providing unique experiences for children with life-altering conditions, bringing people together through the power of sports.