The Harlem Wizards are much more than a basketball team. They’re out to send a message to kids all over the United States. Each member on the team has their own story, their own message, their own heart felt journey
Arthur Lewis Jr., a point guard for the Wizards, paid a visit to Pulaski St. Elementary School Thursday morning and his message was loud and clear: “Dream big.”
“One of the biggest messages from my story is that I’m small,” said Lewis, who stands at 5’9″.
“A lot of people told me that my dream was dumb. ‘No way you’re going to play basketball, not high school, not college and definitely not professional’ they told me,” he said.
“But look at me now,” Lewis said.
Not only did Lewis excel in high school, he went on to play in college at Bowie State University, a Division II school in Maryland. Basketball and academics went hand in hand for Lewis. He achieved Academic All-American recognition for his efforts on and off the court.
“I wasn’t able to play basketball in high school unless I made the honor roll,” Lewis said. “And I guess it just stuck with me through my life.”
He went on to play professionally in the ABA and IBL before joining the Harlem Wizards to combine his uncanny dribbling ability with his desire to connect with the youth of America. He’s entertaining, funny and inspirational — a true fit for the Wizards. Recently he turned down an offer to play with the Globetrotters to help build a name for the Wizards.
“How’s everyone feeling this morning?” Lewis said, opening his presentation bright-eyed and eager to teach.
“Good!” the students yelled.
Apparently the response wasn’t loud enough for him. He asked again, “How’s everyone feeling this morning?”
This time, a ear-ringing “good!” echoed through the gymnasium.
Each kid was focused from there on out, another message Lewis tried to deliver. At one point, during his speech, a student wasn’t paying attention and talking to another student.
“Hey you,” Lewis said. “The one in the yellow shirt. You’ve got to focus, man. When someone is trying to teach you something whether it’s your parent, your teacher or anyone, you’ve got to focus. You’ll miss something important if you don’t pay attention.”
When Lewis called out for volunteers, just about everyone raised their hand. When he asked a student to spin a ball on her finger, and she responded that “she couldn’t,” Lewis told the crowd, “did you hear her? She said that it was too easy!”
“Never say you can’t,” Lewis said afterward.
Laughter was contagious throughout the presentation. Learning is just that much easier when you’re having fun.
“I love giving back to these kids,” Lewis said. “I love kids and I want to motivate them. I was blessed with a mom and dad in my life and a lot of mentors that a lot of people aren’t blessed to get. So I want to be that mentor for some kids that don’t have what I had. I want to change lives.”
“Anything you want to do,” Lewis continued. “Whether it’s school or anything that you want to succeed in, nothing can deter you from your dream. If I have to sacrifice hanging out with my friends, if I have to sacrifice video games, nothing can deter me. And even if I don’t make it, I gave it my all so I’m successful. If you give 100% and try everyday to be the best and really own what you want to do, the sky’s the limit.”
Lewis is on the road almost everyday with his team going to different schools in the morning and playing games at night. The Wizards play against Riverhead faculty members November 19.
Tikets to the November 19th event are available online at www.harlemwizards.com and locally at both Duffy’s Deli locations. Tickets are $10/students and $12/general admission in advance and $12/students and $15/general admission at the door, if available. Twenty-five courtside tickets will be available for $25 exclusively at Duffy’s Deli, and those include a meet-and-greet with the Harlem Wizards before the game.
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