Newsonyx

Thirty-six-year-old Los Angeles Laker Dwight Howard partnered with the LA Lakers and Xbox to launch a gaming space at the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley.

The new gaming space is a LA Laker-themed room with multiple Xbox Series S and PC stations called the Dream Space. It’s also called the Dream Gaming Room. The Dream Space has enough spots for 20 kids.

Howard released a statement announcing the partnership and noting the importance of children having a space to dream big.

“I am partnering with Xbox and the Lakers to produce this game lab just to give these kids a chance to dream and think big,” read the statement. “I know how much the Lakers mean to me but also Xbox. I’ve been playing the game for a lot of years now. It’s just kind of opened up my eyes to different games, but also it’s inspired me to want to continue to play this sport that I love and play here in LA. So, I’m very thankful to be partnering with two great companies who’ve been around for a very long time and they’re kind of the champions in their own field.”

Dwight surprised several kids after they were shown the new room and said their perspective on life inspired him.

“Kids are so innocent. They have so many things they wonder and think about daily, and when hearing their perspective on life, it definitely inspires me and motivates me to continue to push forward with basketball and give it my all,” Dwight told Yahoo! Sports. “Call of Duty is my favorite game. So, I can’t let them win at that. But you know, you do have to let the kids win, but I don’t know,” he joked.

The LA Lakers posted the new Dream Space photographs on Twitter with a caption.

“Excited to have teamed up with @Xbox & our very own Dwight Howard to remodel an Xbox Dream Gaming Room for the @BGC_SFV 🎮..”

Microsoft has donated more than $150 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America by giving computer science software and resources, including cash grants. The Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley serviced 2,500 kids in Los Angeles.