Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Safe Schools for Alex initiative for Douglas victim featured in NBA 2K video game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A safeschools initiative created by the parent of a student slain in the Parkland massacre will be featured in the NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 video game.
The Safe Schools for Alex initiative, a non-profit organization created by Max Schachter, whose son Alex was one of the 17 victims of last year’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was included in the latest update of the game that will showcase a special basketball court highlighting Safe Schools for Alex.
The goal of the nonprofit is “creating a safe school rating system to assist schools in assessing and mitigating risk.”
The NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 update to promote Safe Schools for Alex features a custom court, sound bites from celebrities and athletes, in addition to the more than 200 current and retired NBA players included in the game. A screen shot of the court released in advance features Shaquille O’Neal in a Heat uniform.
The soundtrack of the video game also will be updated to feature the Chicago song “25 or 6 to 4” as played by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Jazz Band.
“We are honored to be able to use our platform to give back to such an important cause. Max has been my friend since childhood, and I’m very proud of all that he is accomplishing on behalf of children across America in honor of his son, Alex,” Matt Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, said in a statement.
Saber will match all donations made to Safe Schools for Alex up to $100,000. Details of the program can be found at safeschoolsforalex.org.
A year ago, the Heat honored the Schachter family and Alex Schachter’s Parkland basketball team at a game against the Washington Wizards.
The group was invited on the court at AmericanAirlines Arena before the game, where the Parkland team had their own warmup.
On that night, Alex’s brother, Ryan wore his brother’s blue No. 5 Parkland Basketball Club jersey. In a private gathering, a Heat representative presented each Parkland player with a Heat jersey personalized with their names, including Ryan’s No. 5 with “Schachter” on the back.
In addition, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also presented the team with a black, molded-rubber replica of the NBA championship trophy, which was signed by each member of the team.