Ten years ago, James Ennis III was a high school basketball player who lived in Ventura public housing; on Saturday, the NBA player returned to his old neighborhood for the opening of a new sports court – and learned it was dedicated to him.

The multi-purpose sports court, which features basketball hoops, a volleyball net and soccer goals, is part of Westview Village, a public housing community operated by the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.

“It’s crazy to see what’s changed,” Ennis said.

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On Saturday, the authority hosted a grand opening celebration for the court, featuring barbecue, music, games, a mobile library and more.

The sports court is on the lot where Ennis once lived with his family in Westview Village on the city’s west end between the Avenue and Highway 33. He said his appearance at the ceremony was his first return since he left to play basketball.

Ennis spent much of his youth training for basketball in the Westview Village area.

He graduated from Ventura High School in 2009 and played basketball for Oxnard College and Ventura College before transferring to CSU Long Beach. He was drafted by the NBA in 2013 to the Atlanta Hawks, but later decided to play overseas due to salary concerns. He returned to the NBA in 2014 and is currently a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Although he knew the sports court would serve the community he was once a part of, he was surprised to learn it would officially be named the James Ennis III Sports Court.

“When you have a goal in life, you can achieve great things, but never forget where you came from,” Ennis said.

John Polanskey, the authority’s board chair, said the invitation to Ennis and decision to dedicate the sports court to him were meant to both honor him and inspire others.

“It was an opportunity for James to come back and to tell people, particularly the kids who live here: Look, I lived here, so don’t let people tell you if you’re living here, you’re not going to amount to anything,” Polanskey said.

Polanskey noted that the authority is working in partnership with the Ventura YMCA to have weekly activities at the sports court, as well as monthly all-day sports activity programs for families like the one held Saturday.

‘Chase your dreams’

The sports court is part of a multi-phase redevelopment of Westview Village by the authority through Rental Assistance Demonstration, a program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The first phase of redeveloped housing has been completed and three more are planned, according to Polanskey.

Irene Ruvalcaba recently moved from Oxnard into the new housing units with her four children. She said she has already seen the impact of the sports court on the local community, including her 13-year-old son.

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“Actually in the morning, they were playing outside,” Ruvalcaba said. “It gets them more motivated to be outside instead of inside playing games.”

Ennis said he hopes the sports court will help young aspiring athletes pursue their goals like he did when he was growing up.

“There’s a lot of talent in the 805,” Ennis said. “Chase your dreams, and if anybody doubts you, look past it.”

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.