New York Knicks’ Julius Randle is paying it forward to New York City students in the Bronx during this National Basketball Association (NBA) season.
On Nov.9, Julius Randle visited the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School — named after Knicks Hall of Famer Earl “The Pearl” Monroe — to announce that he will donate $500 to the charter high school’s mathematics and literacy program for every 3-pointer he makes, New York Post reports.
“Me and my wife love giving back to kids and inspiring them and really there was no better person to team up with than Earl,” Randle said. “Teaming up with a Knicks legend like this, I just felt it was the perfect opportunity to help.”
According to the outlet, the All-Star power forward had a career high of 160 3-pointers last season, which would have calculated to a total of $80,000 for the students. Randle has made 24 3s in the first 11 Knicks games this season.
Along with Randle’s exciting news, the charter school has launched #30 For 3! — a fundraising campaign where anyone can pledge a donation for each 3-pointer that he scores for the Knicks throughout the NBA season.
#BREAKING: @J30_RANDLE’s #30FOR3! fundraising challenge has been announced and will benefit our literacy and math intervention programs. The @nyknicks’ power forward has pledged $500 for every 3-pointer he makes this season. #JoinJulius and submit your pledge! 🔗 in bio. pic.twitter.com/Bs4sB4hVZQ
— Earl Monroe New Renaissance School (@EMNRSchoolNYC) November 9, 2021
Funding from the campaign will go toward hiring full-time literacy intervention teachers and math tutors, according to the campaign’s website. The funds will also help expand the literacy and math intervention programs into the school’s second year.
“Thanks to Julius’s gift and leadership, the school will now have the resources to have five full-time specific literacy interventionists and at least 30 math tutors,” Monroe said. “He is a remarkable young man and a brother Knick. We’re hoping friends and supporters, young and old, will do their part and match #30 FOR 3! as they can. If we don’t do everything possible to improve the literacy skills of our youth, the cycle of poverty and disappointment will never end.”
The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School — the nation’s first specialty high school for basketball — opened in August. While it launched during the pandemic, Randle teaming up with Monroe will help in ensuring students receive the best education.
