KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Shedding light on stopping violence was a key message during Saturday’s Bobby Maze Celebrity Basketball Game. The mother of Zaevion Dobson, the Knoxville teen who died shielding friends from gunfire last December was at the game.

“It makes me feel good to know that he comes out to the inner city reaching out to our sons and daughters,” she said.

She appreciates Maze for putting on this event. He also sold specially made t-shirts that honored Zaevion. The proceeds are going to his family.

“It just makes my heart feel good to even know that someone cares,” said Zenobia.

Maze says it was the right thing to do. Four years ago he lost one of his close cousins to gun violence. After hearing of Zaevion’s story, he knew he had to help out.

“It’s just giving people hope and letting them know that people do care about him, that’s why we’re having this game at Fulton High School for him,” said Maze.

Because he knows efforts like this can make a difference in a kid’s life.

“I’m trying to do the same thing for this community and just give everyone here some hope. Meet people that you normally don’t get a chance to meet…We just hope to continue each and every year to just do more,” he said.

Allen Iverson coached Bobby Maze’s team, they won the game 129 to 114.