Rochester, N.Y. — A collegiate basketball star returned to his hometown Wednesday for a special event.
UPrep graduate Melvin Council Jr., who is currently a guard for the Kansas Jayhawks men’s team, held “The Give Back” event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester.
Council, who also played at St. Bonaventure University before transferring to Kansas, brought more than 70 kids through a free, hands-on basketball skills clinic.
“Growing up, I got invited to camps that cost money, and I didn’t have the funds, so I couldn’t ever go to the camps,” Council explained, “so coming back to Rochester and for free, I know kids will be blessed, and I’m just thankful that I can do that.”
Council said the Boys & Girls Clubs were a part of his childhood here in Rochester.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs (are) very important,” he continued. “My dad worked here, so I’ve been in the Boys & Girls Clubs since I was little. I never looked back, and I always came back. I always wanted to make sure I got close friends and close people (who are) in the Boys & Girls Clubs.”
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Council also surprised the group with free backpacks filled with all of the supplies they need for a slam-dunk start to the school year.