It’s not every day that elementary school students get a pep talk from an NBA coach.

Students at P.S. 1 in Sunset Park Wednesday got not only a pep talk from Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn, but a clinic in basketball fundamentals, led by coaches and stars of the Nets and the New York Liberty basketball teams.

The city launched a new partnership between the two teams and public schools in the borough where they play. 

“It feels amazing to have, like, have the clinic and a member from the Nets to be in our school building,” fifth grader Alexander Reyes said.

The launch gives students an opportunity to get encouragement from stars like Liberty center Jonquel Jones.

“Research shows that, you know, at the age of fourteen, girls are likely to drop out of sports. And we don’t want to that to happen because like I said before, sports is extremely important and it helps you to build your identity,” Jones told the students.

And from Cameron Johnson, the NBA star traded to the Nets just last month.

“I know what basketball has done for me, getting to a professional level, but everybody that I knew that played basketball growing up, it definitely had a positive impact on them,” Johnson said.

For student, it’s an opportunity to enjoy a game they love, and imagine themselves in the players’ shoes.

“My favorite thing about playing is when I shoot, like a three pointer, and if it goes in, I love that feeling,” fifth grader Jacob Mancilla said. “Maybe one day I can join the Brooklyn Nets and support my community.”

Schools Chancellor David Banks said the new partnership will teach students about more than defense, dribbling and dunking.

“The more important elements of basketball are really about practice. Hard work, determination. Being resilient — that means when you lose, you don’t quit,” Banks said.

Every single middle and elementary school in Brooklyn will have an opportunity to host one of these clinics, reaching about 50,000 children by the end of 2023.