Mayor gives Sonny Weems key to West Memphis

Former Blue Devil turned pro basketball star recognized for contributions to home town community

WM School District To the man who has given so much back to West Memphis, on Tuesday it was time to give back to native son Sonny Weems.

Mayor Marco McClendon officially proclaimed Tuesday as Sonny Weems Day and he gave the former Blue Devil basketball star the key to the city.

“I can’t do it without the city of West Memphis,” Weems said at the podium at City Hall. “There’s still a lot I’d like to do for the city and there’s still a lot we can all do for the city.

But I love West Memphis.

This is home and I love the people here.”

Weems, who starred on the Blue Devils’ 29-2 state championship team under head coach Larry Bray in 2003-04, was a firstteam All-SEC player for the Razorbacks before being the 39th pick in the NBA draft and playing three years for the Nuggets and the Raptors.

Since, he has been a star overseas, including this past season when his team won the Chinese pro championship.

Locally, the Sonny Weems Foundation has given back to West Memphis in terms of building a slick, new playground with a full-size basketball court. Weems also gives back each year to West Memphis students with free backpacks to hundreds of local kids.

“We have an obligation to make this city better,” he added. “We are responsible for the kids in this city because they are the future leaders of this community. This is a great community that has produced great talent and great people.”

Weems and his team, which includes notable names such as Tywanna Inmon-Smith, who is Weems’ agent, and former Blue Devil football star Joseph Wilson, will have a Weems Week July 22-26, which will include basketball camps for boys and girls age 9-12 at Lehr Arena and the annual back-pack giveaway.