WNBA star Michaela Onyenwere giving back to NYC community with new season on horizon

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WNBA rising star Michaela Onyenwere says she prides herself on being more than just a basketball player. 

Onyenwere, who earned rookie of the year last season with the New York Liberty, took that to heart as she recently partnered with Mobil 1 and its "Tune Up"program to help out the local community in the Big Apple. 

"Community is really important, giving back is really important. I have a platform as an athlete, and I'd be doing a disservice to not only myself but also the people around me who've done so much for me," Onyenwere told Fox News Digital. "I'm able to have so many experiences through basketball that I wouldn't have without it. New York has become my home and embraced me in so many ways, so why not give back to the community that has done so much to me?"

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Michaela Onyenwere sits on the new renovated court in New York City (Wynne Hendry)

Onyenwere is lending her voice and leadership in New York City to the program, which, along with nonprofit partner Project Backboard, completed a newly renovated basketball court last week at McCaffrey Playground in Manhattan, about nine blocks from Madison Square Garden.

In addition to fixing the playing surface at the court, local artist Andrea Bergart created a custom court design, which is full of vibrant colors that can hopefully provide an attractive outdoor space for local girls and boys to play the game they love. 

Ariel view of the renovated court at McCaffrey Playground in Manhattan (Artwork: Andrea Bergart, Photo: Ross Dahmen)

Closer view of the court from above (Artwork: Andrea Bergart, Photo: Ross Dahmen)

Onyenwere says she wants