For New York Knicks star Julius Randle, every 3-pointer he makes this season will have financial consequences on his bank account.
To him, that’s a great thing because it’s going towards a great cause- Bronx high school students.
Yesterday the Knicks star was on hand at the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the borough to announce the donation for the charter school named after one of the greatest Knicks, and NBA players, in history.
“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,” said Randle. “Teaming up with a Knicks legend like this, I just felt it was the perfect opportunity to help.”
The charter school opened its doors in August and welcomed a freshman class of 110 boys and girls of color.
According to WABC NY, the school will feature a traditional curriculum of math, history, science and language arts. But it will also feature specialized courses focusing on nutrition, journalism, coaching, player representation and coaching.
With corporate sponsors such as Nike on board, and now the additional financial assistance of Julius Randle, it appears that the school is on course to meet its goal of 440 students.
On Tuesday, Monroe acknowledged the importance of the Knicks All-Star impact both on and off the court.
“Obviously, [Randle has been] great not only for the Knicks but for us here in New York City,” Monroe said. “He’s done an extraordinary job in the two years or so that he’s been here. The city is rocking again and he’s been a big reason why.”
Led by Randle last season, the Knicks made the playoffs.
Even more importantly for the school, he made a career-high 160 3-pointers, which would equate to $80,000 for the school.
With more on the line than just the stat sheet, does that mean that Randle will look to set a new career-high this season?
“If I make ’em, absolutely. [Tom Thibodeau] wants us to shoot 3s anyway.”
Now kids in the Bronx will be rooting for Julius to shoot behind the arc even more.
