Halloween came early at Barclays Center as the Brooklyn Nets hosted a Halloween Costume Party for 100 children from a local charter school in the borough.
Brook Lopez, Jarrett Jack, Markel Brown, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Thomas Robinson and Wayne Ellington took part in the festivities, which included face-painting, mini-basketball and pumpkin painting. Along with the players were Team Hype and the Brooklynettes, who joined the festivities.
“I am a big fan of Halloween. It’s always an excuse to dress weird,” said Brown, who showed up as “Nerd King Kel” complete with geeky glasses, a velvet-red robe and scepter.
The Halloween party was just a small part of a borough-wide partnership between the Brooklyn Nets Assist Program and Party City, through which more than five thousand costumes were donated throughout the borough to 15 Brooklyn Housing Project organizations.
“I love Halloween,” said Jarrett Jack. “I’m a Scorpio and my birthday is three day before it, so I’ve always been in celebration mode around this time.” The point guard turns 32 on Nets Opening Night.
Robinson, who took part in his first Nets Halloween celebration, mentioned he hadn’t dressed up for the holiday in a while, but has gone as Fred Flintstone on multiple occasions. He also would have gone as “The Terminator” this year.
While the Nets will be on the road this Halloween, facing the Memphis Grizzlies on October 31, that won’t stop some of the players from partaking in certain traditions. A festive Wayne Ellington chimed in mischievously: “I love the holiday – because of the candy.”
Speaking of candy, we had to find out the Nets favorite picks when it came to trick-or-treating. Here is what they said:
Brook Lopez: “I like Dots, Smarties – love Smarties and Three Musketeers.” Jarrett Jack: “Lots of Sweet Tarts, hopefully.” Thomas Robinson: “I just love Twix, period.” Wayne Ellington: “My favorites are Reese’s cups and Snickers.” Markel Brown: “Chocolate. If you’re getting anything chocolate, then you’re winning.”
