Kelli's Eye on the Markets: NBA Great Malik Rose Inspires Walker Park Students

Written by Shannon Schussler reporting from Monroe, GA

At Walker Park Elementary's Red Ribbon Rally, Monday, October 24, 2016, former NBA forward and current Atlanta Hawks manager of basketball operations, Malik Rose wowed the crowd with his basketball skills and his heart.

Former NBA star Malik Rose Photo by Shannon Schussler

Before Mr. Rose was introduced, a highlights video of his professional action playing for the NY Knicks and San Antonio Spurs was shown to the students. Many kids found it difficult to keep their seats watching Malik's deft skills on the basketball court. Malik Rose was invited to speak at Walker Park Elementary by school counselor La'Tonya Hannah, who attended school with Rose in Philadelphia, PA. Before a crowd of around 700 students, parents, teachers, administrators, Monroe Area High School band members, cheerleaders, and athletes in the Walker Park gymnasium - Mr. Rose (a former student teacher in Philadelphia) used his teaching skills to gather his audience to his words and keep the students engaged, occasionally sharing a reward for a correct answer.

"Can anybody tell me why we are here?" asked Mr. Rose.
"To be drug free" was the correct answer.

The theme for this year's Red Ribbon Rally was "YOLO - You Only Live Once, So Live Drug Free."
Mr. Rose shared that he has 25 first cousins. He confessed that he had seen drugs hurt his family, so "no good" comes from "messing with drugs" was his message. Malik encouraged the students to chase their dream and not listen to anyone who would tell them that they were not good enough to achieve their dream. The 6'7" Malik was told by his high school basketball coach that he would never make it in the NBA. Mr. Rose told the audience that 13 years in the NBA, which only offers 450 jobs for players, would not have happened if he had been involved with drugs or had given up on his dream. ..."believe in yourselves, believe in your dreams, stay drug free, and I promise you, good things will happen to you." Malik Rose

Complete Speech by Malik Rose video by Shannon Schussler

Malik Rose then gave a mini-clinic on "free throws." He proceeded to sink his second shot, with a non-regulation basketball, to prove that "he's still got it" according to La'Tonya Hannah.

Malik Rose teaches Walker Park Students Photo by Shannon Schussler

Malik Rose still has "it" video by Shannon Schussler

Popular PE Coach Lee McGowan, proceeded to share his free throw skills sinking his first attempt.

Malik Rose and Coach Lee McGowan Photo by Shannon Schussler

Free Throw by Coach McGowan video by Shannon Schussler

Walker Park Elementary Principal Dr. Seabrook Royal shoots a free throw shot Photo by Shannon Schussler

Malik Rose signed basketballs for free throw student participants Bendaisha Evans and basketball phenom Caleb Arnold who showed some very impressive basketball handling skills.

The Walker Park Chorus rocked the gym led by Brian Weese and Stephanie Towler!