The Mayor showed his b-ball skills at the launch of the London Youth Games, with the help of a Croydon basketball star.
Boris Johnson appeared alongside former Great Britain youth games competitor and Croydon star Arek Deng.
Deron Williams of Utah Jazz and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, a former competitor at the Games and now playing for the Toronto Raptors, came later to lend their support to the Games.
Mayor Johnson said: “With the 2012 Games on the horizon I’m delighted to help launch the London Youth Games.
“The event provides brilliant opportunities for talented athletes and encourages all young Londoners to get more involved in sport.
"I learnt a few tips on shooting hoops today and I want to wish the best of luck to all the young people involved.”
But it was not the best of starts to the Games for Croydon as its basketball team was knocked out by Lambeth in the qualifiers.
The qualifiers were held on May 31 at the Score Centre in Leyton.
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