Slam Dunk

Dallas Mavs and Scottish Rite for Children partnership is a slam dunk

When it comes to sports injuries, the best offense is a good defense. That's why the Dallas Mavericks have teamed up with Scottish Rite for Children. Together, the all-star alliance provides young athletes with the tools they need to excel on and off the court.

"It's important for athletes to develop healthy habits because it will allow them to play the game longer," says Dr. Henry B. Ellis, pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Scottish Rite for Children. "In addition, they have more fun, feel better while they play, and will likely be a better competitor."

Scottish Rite for Children has been the official health partner for the Mavs Basketball Academy for the past three years. This year, they launched "Warm Up the RITE Way," a program that includes exercises hand-selected by sports physical therapists to help athletes — both beginner and advanced — build a proper foundation.

Knee and ankle injuries are the most common among basketball players, and most of the time, they are preventable with proper education for kids, parents, and coaches. The Dallas Mavericks integrated "Warm Up the RITE Way" into the beginning of its Hoop and Development Camps this summer, where hundreds of athletes were taught fundamentals to help them keep playing for as long as they want — even all the way to the NBA.

By teaching players how to move correctly and engage the right muscles before playing, Scottish Rite for Children and the Mavs hope to make an impact before they are injured and need treatment.

"These habits really start off the court, with developing a healthy sleep routine, learning how food fuels the body for sports, and staying hydrated well before the game," says Ellis.

In addition to "Warm Up the RITE Way," the Mavs and Scottish Rite for Children are educating families of young athletes on topics such as overuse injuries, balance, nutrition, and hydration. The goal is to help young and growing athletes develop strong muscles, joints, and bones and a lifestyle that helps kids stay on the court and off the bench.

Ready for some info right now? Scottish Rite for Children and Mavs guard J.J. Barea surprised players at Mavs Hoop Camp this summer for a fun game of horse and tips to continue playing the "RITE" way. Click here to learn more.

The groups are teaming up to make sure kids develop healthy habits early.

Photo courtesy of Scottish Rite for Children

The groups are teaming up to make sure kids develop healthy habits early.

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Animal News

Hunt County man arrested for animal cruelty to puppy from Dallas

SPCA

Jacob Paul Nichols arrested for animal cruelty in Hunt County, Texas.

On Tuesday, June 17, a resident of Greenville, Texas was arrested for animal cruelty after allegedly letting a puppy starve to death.

According to a release, Jacob Paul Nichols was arrested and charged with Texas Penal Code 42.092, Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals (b)(1) after allegedly torturing his puppy over a span of several months, causing unjustifiable pain and suffering which ultimately resulted in her death — a felony of the third degree.

Nichols was located and arrested in Johnson County where he was booked into Johnson County Jail and held on a $200,000 bond.

On June 6, SPCA of Texas’ Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit Chief Investigator was contacted by the ever-diligent Hunt County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a deceased puppy that was discovered inside a dumpster at a Greenville apartment complex.

The small tan puppy was found lying on her side in a medium-sized crate. She was emaciated and had sharp, overgrown nails.

An SPCA of Texas Investigator took the puppy to the SPCA's Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center for a forensic necropsy. The exam showed the puppy was 5.5 months old and weighed only 7.6 pounds when she died. She perished due to long-term starvation and dehydration, and had suffered for a prolonged period of time.

The puppy had a microchip, which revealed that she had been adopted by a Dallas resident from a North Texas animal shelter in January 2025. The puppy, named Sandy, was rehomed to Nichols on February 13 through a rehoming website that allows potential adopters to be screened prior to rehoming. (The release does not identify the adopter or explain why the adopter was dumping the puppy after only a month of ownership.)

Nichols signed a contract stating that he agreed to “care for the pet in a humane and responsible manner and to provide him/her with clean and adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care.”

The SPCA of Texas ACI Unit confirmed with Nichols that the dog had been in his care. Interviews with Nichols and other witnesses revealed evidence that the dog had been neglected over a span of months and left to die in the crate without food or water.

“No animal deserves to suffer in silence the way this puppy did. The evidence indicates that she was trapped, neglected and ultimately starved to death over a span of months,” said SPCA of Texas’ ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. “The level of cruelty in this case is staggering, and the SPCA of Texas and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office are committed to ensuring justice is served.”

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