According to Paul Savramis, many of Rising Stars’ former players have gone on to play basketball or other sports at the college level.
Jay Williams was a product of the Rising Stars youth foundation since 5th grade. Williams, considered one of the most prolific college basketball players in history, and who later went on to play for the Chicago Bulls, credits the program for helping him stay on course.
Williams’ career ended in 2003 after crashing his motorcycle into a street light pole. Williams now works tirelessly as national ambassador for Rising Stars, inspiring children to be the best they can be. In 2016, Williams released his memoir “Life Is Not an Accident” where he writes about the athlete he once was and the adult he needed to become.
“Working together and being part of something bigger than you, is really what Rising Stars is all about,” says Chuck Everson, former rising star/NCAA champion and former NBA player.
Dan Gimpel, also a former Rising Star says the organization provides financial assistance to kids who need it. Rising Stars also provides homework help, tutors, and SAT help for older students.
According to Paul Savramis, over 90 percent of the kids that come to Rising Stars go on to college. “There’s nothing better than seeing a kid at young age come to Rising Stars for seven or eight years and then get a scholarship and college degree,” says Paul Savramis.
Many former students return as coaches, mentors and sponsors. They go on to show they care and do not forget where they come from, concludes Paul Savramis.
