Dane MizutaniWeb Editorial AssociateEmail / TwitterShabazz Muhammad held at least a 3.5 GPA throughout his scholastic career — a journey that took him from his adolescent years in California, to Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, and finally to UCLA for a year before making the jump to the NBA.
Muhammad bounced from place to place because of his basketball prowess. That said he was clear that his parents were also always “on him” about his grades. Though he was undoubtedly one of the best prospects in the nation from early on, he never took his schooling for granted.
“It was something that was always important to me,” Muhammad said, adding he felt blessed to have such positive role models in his life. “I’ve always kind of wanted to give back.”
He’s been doing just that over the last couple years— using his platform as an NBA player to give back.
Muhammad, with the help of the Kids In Need Foundation, hosted the second annual Shabazz Muhammad Backpack Build on Tuesday where Muhammad helped stuff 140 backpacks full of school supplies. He then personally delivered the backpacks to students at Prodeo Academy in Columbia Heights, Minn.
Colleen Rourke of the Kids In Need Foundation said the mission of the organization is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing school supplies to students most in need.
“It means a lot to the kids that people in high places care about them and want to make sure what they need to learn and succeed,” Rourke said.
Muhammad, along with a crew of Wolves employees, started the afternoon at the Kids In Need Foundation where they packed backpacks with folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, and glue sticks, among other school supplies. That itself took about an hour, then it was off to Prodeo Academy.
A caravan of Wolves made the trek from the Kids In Need Foundation to Prodeo Academy, and upon arrival Muhammad loaded about 30 backpacks across his body and made his way into the gymnasium.
“Those kids just get star struck and even more so when it’s an NBA player because it’s just such a huge event to them to be in the presence of an NBA player,” Rourke said. “They’re just thrilled beyond belief.”
That was clear as Muhammad walked in and students erupted in excitement. It’s safe to assume that some students didn’t even know who Shabazz Muhammad was, though it didn’t matter in that exact moment.
Muhammad spoke for a couple minutes before he doled out the backpacks. He emphasized the importance of school and the fact that he wouldn’t be where he is right now if he didn’t focus on his grades.
“It’s really exciting for them,” said Rick Campion, the Executive Director at Prodeo Academy. “It really makes an impact when these kids get to meet him in person and see the things he’s doing in the community.”
Campion said events like the Shabazz Muhammad Backpack Build have an immense influence on the kids at Prodeo Academy. It provides inspiration above all else.
“They’re living challenged lives, frankly, and any chance we have to connect them with something exciting is great,” Campion said. “We’re here to get them early so they get on track to reach their full potential, and anything we can do that advances that for them is a win for us.”
Muhammad also conducted a brief Q&A with the students before handing out the backpacks, and said the entire afternoon was an awesome experience.
“It’s really cool to see how much they’re paying attention,” Muhammad said. “It’s a blessing for me to come down here and give these kids some supplies to succeed in school.
“I love doing it,” he added. “I could do it every year.”