Michael Grant supports Hoops 4 Hope


By
 in ,

During their time at USC, student-athletes are taught the importance of determination and of giving back to the community.

Former men’s tennis team captain Michael Grant seems to have truly taken those lessons to heart. London-born Grant, who graduated from USC in 2014 as a three-time national champion, is now putting his efforts into a fundraising campaign for children in Zimbabwe.

Grant is raising money for Hoops 4 Hope, a nonprofit organization that uses sports to ease racial conflict, promote a healthy living and teach teamwork as well as life skills to children.

Though Grant excels at tennis — achieving 20-6 as a starter for the Trojans during his senior year and playing professionally upon graduation — his decision to support this basketball program was an easy one.

“My friend who is a basketball player at Hamilton was quite involved, and with my dad growing up in Zimbabwe, we have always tried to help,” Grant said. “They are losing financial support and are struggling to keep operations going beyond a few months in advance. I went to play two pro tournaments in Zimbabwe and visited the program, and to see how much the kids are in need and what the program does for them, urged me to try and raise money for them.”

Grant and his friend, Peter Kazickas, started their Indiegogo fundraising campaign on Dec. 21, 2014. Contributions of any amount are accepted, but certain amounts offer perks to contributors. For donating $20, they receive a Hoops 4 Hope patch, trading card and post card. For donating $100, contributors receive a watch with the inscription “Ubuntu” on it, which is the African concept of essential human virtues: compassion and humanity.

In the spirit of the sports program, there are sneakers signed by celebrities up for grabs. For donating $500, patrons can claim sneakers signed by actress Sarah Jessica Parker. The perk for donating $1,000 is a pair of sneakers signed by 2008 NBA Finals MVP and current Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce, and the perk for donating $1,500 is a pair of Air Jordans designed by current free agent and two-time NBA champion Ray Allen.

These perks have proven to be useful incentive — as of Jan. 27 the campaign had raised $8,830 of its $50,000 goal.

Grant explained how the funds, which will go toward programming, equipment, uniforms, transportation, court maintenance, water, power, Internet and security, are instrumental in helping the children of Zimbabwe.

“It’s fun for them, they love to compete as well,” Grant said. “It’s a great way to keep the kids off the streets and occupied. Often times they don’t have running water or electricity, so to give them an outlet five days a week after school is great for them. It gives them hope not just on the court with basketball, but changes their lives with the life skills they are taught.”

The fundraiser runs until Feb. 19, and donations can be made on the Hoops 4 Hope Indiegogo page.