The New York Knicks: Always Champions for Rising Stars

Rising Stars Founder Paul Savramis Reflects on 30 Years of Support

Nothing could make Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis happier than watching the New York Knicks win the 2026 NBA Championship.

For Paul Savramis, that championship was a culmination, but it certainly was not what defines the Knicks.

"The New York Knicks have been champions in New York, and most certainly at Rising Stars, since we started 30 years ago," said Paul Savramis. "Championship titles are great, and an entire city celebrated an incredible achievement. But it's what the Knicks have accomplished off the court, particularly in helping create special experiences for New York's children, that truly defines the term 'champion' for me."

"The New York Knicks are New York!" Savramis often says.

"For Rising Stars, and for so many other community programs, the Knicks have always been there. They have created unique opportunities and provided positive programs for young people who need them the most."

Paul Savramis continued, "I can't begin to describe the support the Knicks have provided to the Rising Stars Foundation over the years.

"They have sponsored our special events and given our kids the opportunity to attend NBA games, complete with postgame experiences. Many of these kids would never have had those opportunities without the Knicks' support."

Savramis paused to emphasize what that support has meant to him and the Rising Stars community.

"They gave of themselves without any expectation of getting anything in return. They gave their best to the community."

The Knicks brought some of their greatest legends to Rising Stars events, including Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Allan Houston, James White, and many others. They came bearing gifts while offering advice, encouragement, and guidance drawn from their own personal experiences.

Paul Savramis also remembers another important chapter in the relationship between the Knicks and Rising Stars, one that he says neither he nor the organization will ever forget.

"I was fortunate to get to know the Knicks' community relations manager at the time, Mr. Dan Gladstone. Dan was beyond incredible in the way he created events for New York's kids and the community.

"Dan recognized what Rising Stars was doing through basketball to support underserved kids, and he was completely committed to doing whatever he could to have the New York Knicks help."

Gladstone created a New York Rookies Day, bringing that year's group of young players to Rising Stars to play basketball and interact with the children.

He later created a Knicks Family Day, giving Rising Stars parents an opportunity to share the Knicks' legacy with their children.

And he didn't stop there.

"Dan and the Knicks organization were larger than life for us," Savramis recalled.

Over the past 30 years, the things the Knicks did for the Rising Stars community, its families, and, most importantly, its children remain some of the memories everyone continues to talk about.

But one event stands out above all the rest for Paul Savramis.

"The one event that still stands out the most for me," Savramis remembered, "was Dan calling to ask if we could use Madison Square Garden for an exclusive Rising Stars day."

The Knicks opened the doors of the Garden and arranged a special basketball clinic for Rising Stars children and their families.

"After that, they all toured the Garden," Savramis said. "Nobody who was there that day, including myself, will ever forget it."

To Paul Savramis, that is what being a champion is really about.

Giving of yourself generously to help a community and the children who look up to you is what professional sports should, and can, be all about.

"When you are blessed beyond imagination as a professional player or organization, the first thing that should come to mind is how to give back," said Paul Savramis.

"Championships will come and they will go. There's always 'next year.' But when you're a champion all year and every year, that makes all the difference in the world to kids, families, and your city."

The 2026 Knicks championship season simply helped recognize and remind New York of what everyone at Rising Stars has known for decades.

"When you get to walk next to champions, you know they are champions," Savramis said.

Rising Stars and Paul Savramis will always applaud the Knicks as champions and wish them many more championships in the years ahead. But wins and losses will never change what the Knicks mean to Rising Stars, its families, or the children they have supported for generations.

And that is, and always will be, what makes the New York Knicks champions.