As one of 13 kids in a basketball family while growing up in Jamaica Plain, Mark Casey was around the game constantly.

“I had a hoop in my garage in my backyard and everybody in the neighborhood came over to play. All of the basketball in my neighborhood took place right in my backyard.”

Playing countless pick-up games and competing against older players during his youth affirmed his lifelong love for the game.

A Dorchester resident for more than 20 years, Casey has coached a lot of basketball teams.

“I’m a father of four great kids,” Casey says with a smile. “I’ve been lucky to do this wonderful coaching thing since my oldest child Aiden was first playing at the youth level.”

His latest coaching stop? He’s the current head coach of the Dorchester Blue Devils Special Olympics MA basketball team.

Casey’s youngest child Donovan, a 13-year old student at New Mission High School in Hyde Park, plays on the Blue Devils team.

Collaborating with Director of Inclusive City Initiatives Stephen Basden Jr., Casey is growing the Special Olympics imprint and promoting inclusion across the City of Boston and surrounding cities.

“I approach coaching the same way everywhere, at any level. Sure, it might take us a little longer to get down the pick and roll or maybe remind my guys where they’re expected to be defensively on the court,” he says. “But this is no different than any other team. It’s all basketball. You teach. It’s a great sport to coach with these players.”

“Coach Mark” — as his Blue Devils players and their parents call him —always strives to mold his players into better, well-rounded people.

Being part of Special Olympics’ growth in Boston has offered him ample opportunities to do just that.

“Fortunately, we were invited to meet the Celtics at Derrick White’s fundraiser (for Special Olympics MA) at Kings Bowling on Dalton Street in downtown Boston,” he says.

He appreciates the Celtics welcoming his players, saying, “They really supported our team who was there representing Special Olympics. Great to see the Celtics showing up happy to hang with us, chat with our boys and really engage in such a great setting.”

Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Luke Kornet were among the players who attended the fundraiser hosted by White.

For Casey, the highlight of the fundraiser was the one-on-one time his team spent with the Celtics players and coaches.

“We’re talking about one of our players shooting arcade hoops alongside Jrue Holiday himself. I also loved seeing my own son Donovan practicing his social skills, asking the local NBA team’s 5-Time All-Star, ‘Hi, my name is Donovan. What’s your name?’ And Jayson Tatum nicely says back, ‘I’m Jayson. It’s great to meet you, Donovan.’ Talk about a dream come true.”

Born and raised in Boston, Casey was always drawn to basketball. He especially enjoys the open gym sessions that follow his team’s weeknight practices at the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester.

“Teenagers from the neighborhood go up to the gym and play ball with us. They’re always so kind to the kids, cheering and fist-bumping with every basket made. Being a parent, you want that inclusion and want to let the world know these kids can play ball too.”