Brooklyn Nets’ shooting guard Markel Brown will take time out from basketball on at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 30, to visit some preschoolers with disabilities at the New York League for Early Learning’s (NYL) Greenpoint School, 725 Leonard St., in Brooklyn. Brown will read a book about basketball to the NYL students and shoot some hoops with the youngsters.
Brown's visit is particularly timely as March is Developmental Disabilities awareness month.
The school has been abuzz about a visit from the Nets’ number 22.
“Everyone is so excited,” said Marie Callaghan, the school’s principal. “We’re exposing the children to who Markel is, what he does for the Brooklyn Nets, and teaching them a little about basketball. Teachers have shown their students video highlights of Markel and some of the children are talking about him coming here.”
NYL is a member of the YAI Network. Brown connected with YAI last Fall when he attended the organization’s Partners at the Pier gala at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers.
Having grown up amid his own personal challenges, Brown knows how important education is for all children. He will carry a very simple but important message to the NYL preschoolers. “Never give up and work hard,” Brown said.
A rookie out of Oklahoma State, Brown has been gaining some playing time recently. His quickness and strong defense has impressed the coaching staff.