When the young players at the Ted Phea Boys and Girls Club turn on their televisions, they see a unified team fighting for a national title. Whether the Red Raiders know it or not, that same team is inspiring the future generation of college players.
“You got to hustle and work hard.”
“The way they dribble, shoot, play defense.”
“He can make threes and dunk.”
These were just a few of the words kids at the Boys and Girls Club used to describe Texas Tech’s elite team.
Over the years, Red Raiders like Keenan Evans, Norense Odiase, and Jarrett Culver, volunteered their time with the club.
“He was real positive. He knew what he wanted. He knew he could accomplish his dreams of the NBA,” said Jailen Lewis, who met one of the players.
Al Duvall, the unit director for the Ted Phea Boys and Girls Club said the players helped the kids believe anything they wanted to achieve was possible.
“First it was to volunteer there, but then they saw some of the kids had some real talent so they would come play pick-up ball with them,” said Duvall. “I think it is great an athlete will come an interact with them. Anything is possible.”
The players talked with them about hard work, academics, and overcoming barriers as part of the pieces needed to be successful.
“It was nice. It made me feel like I was going to be one of them,” said James Bozeman, who plays at the Boys and Girls Club.
The kids said they will be rooting for the Red Raiders this Saturday.
