Nine members of the Kansas men’s basketball team proved Sunday night that the gains associated with name, image, and likeness dollars can be two-way.
Attending The Ored Hotel Sunday night for Family Promise’s biggest fundraiser of the year, nine Jayhawks teamed up to donate $17,000 to the organization, a nonprofit that fights family homelessness in Douglas County. donated.
Each player will be paid to attend the event as part of their NIL contract, interact with guests and participate in Q&A. I saw a video about a family’s struggle with homelessness.
That was enough to get their attention, and their emotions carried over from there.
“J-Wil is the reason for all of the money we donated,” KU point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. told Journal-World on Monday about teammate Jalen Wilson. “He was the one who said something in our team his group his chat.”
Putting that idea into practice came during the funding needs portion of the event, when Hanni asked donors to raise their paddles and pledge various amounts. By and large quiet, Hanni tried to rally her room during the lull, but KU’s KJ Adams and Bobby Pettiford watched as they raised their hands and pledged $1,000 each. I was shocked.
The rest of the team soon followed. Shortly after Adams and Pettiford spoke, Wilson told Hanni that he and Kevin McCuller Jr. each had 5. The final sum was $1,000, so Hanni said his Wilson I assumed that meant $500 each. Hanni is blown away when Wilson reveals he meant his $5,000, leaving the room in an uproar.
“We are lucky to host about 80 events like this every year. I have never seen a moment like this,” said Hanni. “The crowd immediately applauded with a standing ovation, and additional donations spread like wildfire around the room.”
Wilson added: But after watching that video, I was really touched by it and thought, if I can somehow help people experience it, then I’m going to do it. I just felt it and if I have it or can help, I’m going to do it every time. ”
Along with Harris, Wilson, Adams, Pettiford and McCullar, Kyle Cuffe Jr., Michael Jankovich, Cam Martin and Joe Yesfu contributed to the $17,000 pledged by the KU players.
It all led to a record night fundraising. Family Promise executive Dana Ortiz, his director, said he didn’t have final figures for Sunday’s event, but was sure the amount raised was a record for the organization. .
“Fundraising events like Auction Parties are essential to continuing to serve the many families in need,” Ortiz said Monday. “An incredibly generous donor arranged for our men’s basketball team to participate in our biggest fundraiser. The basketball players who participated brought so much love, energy and community spirit to the auction party. This is an incredibly generous gift that goes beyond already devoting time to support the Lawrence family in their committed work, and their generosity is a true testament to this team. It is a proof of
Last weekend, Family Promise served 221 families and 647 people this year alone. Wilson said he was thrilled to think that the Jayhawks group’s gesture and the donations it caused would boost both of those numbers, showing he “actually cares about why I’m here.” I was happy to be able to
This example of Kansas athletes participating in local charities isn’t limited to the men’s basketball team and could be a big part of KU’s future NIL plans. Earlier this year, his five members of the KU football team — Devin Neal, Jaron Daniels, Earl Bostic Jr., Kai Thomas, and Kenny Logan Jr. — made a similar deal to Family Promise. Also, 20 of his other footballers participated in Just Food’s spring fundraiser.
On Monday, other Kansas basketball players, including Zach Clemens, Grady Dick, Zubi Ejiofor, Wilder Evers, Ernest Ude Jr. and Wilder Evers attended a family promise held at the Lawrence Country Club. ‘s annual golf tournament, the Dale Willie Memorial Golf Tournament.
“It’s not necessarily about taking,” Wilson told Journal World. We felt like we could demonstrate that we weren’t just looking to make money, we could make a difference in people’s lives with the money we received.”
