On Sept. 18, Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke visited Kipp Collegiate Elementary, where a classroom of second-graders surprised him with a “Happy Birthday” song, according to Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Clarke, who turned 29 the next day, entered to cheers while holding a $1,500 check, which he donated toward literacy awareness, books, and resources.
Combined with $2,000 from the Grizzlies, the total of $3,500 went to ARise2Read, a nonprofit supporting children’s reading skills.
“Every time I get to talk to kids, I try to get that in their minds that school is important, teachers are important and grades matter,” Clarke said. “I couldn’t have made it here without locking in on reading, writing and all of that stuff.”
The event also marked the early work of the Brandon Clarke Foundation, which will focus on helping Memphis families in need. Clarke said launching the foundation had been on his mind for “about two years.”
On the court, the forward expects to play a bigger role this season with Zach Edey sidelined. Recovering from a high-grade PCL strain suffered in March, Clarke says he feels ready.
“I’m ramping up right now,” he said. “I’ll be there on Day 1.”
