From honoring a local youth golf program to ushering in a new era of D.C. sports, it has been a thrilling week for fans in the nation’s capital.
Here’s everything you need to know about the action-packed week.
Langston Junior Boys and Girls Club Celebrates 36 Years
The Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club celebrated 36 years of dedicated service to District youth, through sports, mentorship and community engagement on June 24 in Northeast, D.C.
Ray Savoy started the youth golf program as a grassroots initiative to connect youth who were considered at-risk with positive mentors. The program grew vital to the D.C. community as it shaped the lives of children and teens through golf and wise guidance.
For many youth, the program provides their first exposure to golf, a sport often associated with wealth and exclusivity.
Within the Langston youth golf program, barriers are broken.
Students from marginalized communities learn to swing a club, meet professionals, and form lifelong relationships with mentors who understand their challenges.
“This is more or less a reason why we try to do it at the Junior Boys and Girls program, to bring out our young people,” said Hughes. “To show them that they can play a different sport than the traditional football, basketball, baseball. With this game, we teach them and tell them that they have to think and use their minds.”
Held at the historic Langston Golf Course, located along Benning Road NE, in the shadow of RFK Stadium, the 30th anniversary celebration was both a reflection on a powerful legacy and a look towards the future.
The event brought together families, children, program alumni, local mentors, and community leaders to celebrate the program’s profound impact on the city’s youth.
As a part of the celebration, Howard University’s School of Social Work presented Savoy with a special award, honoring his decades of service, fortitude, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of D.C. youth. The recognition also highlighted his ability to provide structure and support at a time when the city continues to face rising crime and violence.
During the event, three high school graduates who completed the golf program were awarded $1,000 scholarships as they prepare to begin college. These scholarships work to uphold the program’s commitment to not just short-term mentorship, but a long-term investment in students’ future.
One scholarship recipient, McKinley High School graduate Langston Hughes, shared how participating in the program has shaped his future. An incoming freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, Hughes is not done with the program, as he will be working at Langston this summer.
“I mostly volunteer… helping teach the youth at first tee classes. So I’m familiar with the course already and have made some good connections here,” said Hughes. “And I started here when I was 8. All the skills that you learn with golf like integrity, patience, they’re all skills that are applicable to any workfield.”
After years of working with the program, Savoy revealed plans to step into a behind-the-scenes role during the June 24 celebration. The program is set to continue under the guidance of George Hall.
“Mr. Savoy has been doing this for over 35 years but it’s that time to pass the torch and I’ve known Mr. Savoy for over 25 years, said Hall, who plans to continue Savoy’s work and uplift his legacy. “Of course I didn’t plan on becoming the executive director but this is such a labor of love for me.”
Washington Wizards Welcome New Draft Picks to the District and Preview a Bold Vision for Franchise
The Washington Wizards made a definitive statement at the 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York.
In a whirlwind of draft selections and roster moves, the Wizards added three promising young players to an already youthful team, signaling a full commitment to rebuilding the franchise from the ground up.
2025 NBA Draft picks Jamir Watkins (left), Will Riley (center) and Tre Johnson (right) and Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins (far right) at the Wizards Introductory Press Conference on June 28 (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)
“Thank you to everyone… as we usher in this new wave of Washington Wizards basketball,” said Will Dawkins, the team’s general manager, in the introductory press conference of the new draft picks on June 28. “We are really excited and very fortunate to be adding these three young men.”
Headlining the first night of the draft was the selection of Texas guard Tre Johnson with the sixth overall pick. As one of college basketball’s top scorers last season, the 19-year-old earned Southeastern Conference (SEC) Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game.
His polished shooting stroke and scoring versatility should give Washington an immediate offensive threat, presenting a potential foundational piece to the franchise on a long-term scale.
Now spending time with his family in the D.C. area, Johnson said he’s excited to start his basketball career in the DMV.
“It’s just been great, especially having my family down here, getting to tour around the city, and especially getting to meet these guys for sure,” he said about his fellow draft picks. “It’s just been great— leaving Brooklyn high emotions and getting here still high emotions, still happy about being in the city.”
Washington then orchestrated a trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire the rights to Will Riley, the 21st overall pick. Riley, a 6-foot-8 wing out of Illinois, was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game off the bench.
Known for his length, athleticism, and ability to make transitional plays, Riley adds depth and upside to the growing core of under-21 talent.
In the second round, the Wizards selected Jamir Watkins with the 43rd overall pick, another acquisition from the Utah trade. The former Florida State standout brings physical presence on the wing with strong on-ball defense.
Watkins’ combination of size and toughness makes him a viable candidate for a standard NBA contract, especially as Washington continues to seek low-cost players while continuing to expand the possibilities within their salary cap.
The wave of draft additions follows a separate trade earlier in the week, in which Washington sent out Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey in exchange for veterans CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk.
While McCollum and Khris Middleton provide valuable experience, the Wizards are clearly building their franchise around their young core headlined by Johnson, Riley, Watkins, and their 2024-25 All Rookie honorees Bub Carrington and Alex Sarr.
As general manager, Dawkins also used the press conference to thank fans for constantly cheering the Wizards on and embracing the new draft picks.
“Ever since draft night and the draft party you’ve been checking in, and monitoring in, and you guys have really welcomed these guys and got behind them, and gave them support and some energy,” Dawkins said. “So please continue to support them and their teammates.”