NBA Stars Walk to the Polls With FSU Students
posted by Brittany Doss | October 30, 2020 | In NewsOn October 28, NBA players Chris Paul and Dennis Smith, Jr. visited FSU’s campus to discuss the importance of being active in the community. Both players acknowledged the need to engage with and encourage HBCU students to be informed citizens and exercise their right to vote.
Paul and Smith are increasing the previously established advocacy for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Prior to school visits, Paul the starting point guard for Oklahoma City, wore HBCU paraphernalia while in the NBA restart bubble.
Smith, a guard for the New York Knicks accounted for his drive to participate in raising voter awareness. “We’ve got to focus on these things. You still got to go home at the end of the game,” Smith said. “You have to live your life as a human and especially as a black man… It’s been emphasized this year.”
After speaking to students from various extra-curriculars ranging from FSU’s sports teams to royal court, and answering questions, the stars and students marched to the poll site located at Smith Recreation Center.
“I thought their speech was very influential. It’s nice to see that basketball players, people of color at the top of their game and [that are] adored are here to talk about the importance of voting,” said Destiny Stevons, a track and cross-country runner for FSU.
After visiting Winston Salem State University and FSU, Paul hopes to continue this momentum by visiting a few more schools before Election Day on November 3.
Photo courtesy of Fayetteville State University
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