Obama goes 2 for 22 on basketball court

President Obama had a tough time on the White House’s basketball court Monday, making just two of 22 shots.

“Oh man,” he said at one point during the free-throws. The court activity was one of many events at the annual Easter Egg Roll.

{mosads}Obama was joined by several members of the Washington Wizards NBA team and a group of children who were at the White House for the annual event.

He took several throws, which missed.

“Come on. Come on. Did you see that?” he said about one that hit the rim.

He eventually handed the ball to a boy and asked for help. The kid made a layup.

“He couldn’t make one. I had to help him out,” said Kahron Campbell, 10,
of Landover, Md., according to the White House pool report.

Obama moved closer to the net and made a basket.

The 135th annual Easter Egg Roll took place on Monday despite earlier concerns that the sequester or budget process could shut down the event.

The all-day occasion brings 35,000 people to the South Lawn for games, food and activities. Tickets were distributed by a lottery.

People dressed in giant eggs roamed the crowd, taking pictures with children. At one point there was a group of dancing vegetables on the stage. The “healthy eating” corners and various activities reflected the theme of the day: “Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!”

Nine-year-old Robbie Novak, known to his Internet fans as the “Kid President,” stole the show during the opening ceremony.

Joining the first family and the Easter Bunny on the Truman Balcony, Novak welcomed the crowd. They roared when they saw the young video star, who was dressed formally in a dark suit and red tie, next to a casually dressed first family.

First lady Michelle Obama gave him some encouragement: “Robbie, we’re so proud to have you here,” she said. “You’re going to spend a little time in the Oval Office just fixing things up for this president.”

Novak became a viral sensation through his online videos. He made one for the White House on Monday in honor of April Fools’ Day.

It was a warm, sunny morning on the South Lawn; resulting in President Obama telling the crowd they did “a great job sending a message upstairs, and now we’ve got beautiful weather.”

After the introductions, the Kid President, Obama and the first family joined the egg roll contest, in which children roll an egg with a giant wooden spoon, trying to get their egg over the finish line first.

At one point in the contest, Obama, dressed casually in khaki pants and a striped shirt, stopped to comfort one upset little boy, hugging him and telling him to “Shake it off.” He did.

Obama then led a group of kids to a swing set on the White House lawn, pausing to pick up one little girl and toss her in the air.

The Obamas were joined by first dog Bo, who was a big hit with the kids, and daughters Malia and Sasha.

Obama read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at the storytelling corner, while the first lady read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

The president also stopped by the basketball court, where he put in his 2-for-22 performance.

White House press spokesman Jay Carney downplayed Obama’s misses on the basketball court.

“The president doesn’t get to practice probably as much he would like to,” he said at the press briefing Monday afternoon, adding, “having done a few shots with him, he’s pretty good.”

Basketball is one of the president’s favorite sports, and he’s coached his daughter’s school teams.

When one reporter pointed out there was a court in Obama’s backyard for the president to use, Carney replied, “These are busy times.”

Jordin Sparks, Austin Mahone, Coco Jones, Sesame Street characters and The Wanted performed during the event. NASCAR’s Danica Patrick, Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson, Elmo, Abby, Gordon and Rosita from Sesame Street, and actress Quvenzhané Wallis were among those scheduled to read to the kids. Several athletes participated in the Eggivity Zone.

Guests received souvenir White House Easter eggs. There are four colorful eggs and an official “Bo” egg.

— Updated at 1:23 p.m.