Image via Tykaile Taylor, Freelance Photographer

By: Freddrell Green, Staff Writer

This past summer, each of the founders of Getting More out of the Game (GMG) hosted a basketball event in Washington D.C.. The annual Hoop Out Back To School Bash engages the youth with various basketball competitions such as one-on-one, knockout and king of the court. During the event, over 150 book bags were filled with school supplies and given away to the youth.

A major highlight of the event was having former NBA guard Quinn Cook as a surprise guest. His participation was a testament to his connection with Johnson and the other members of GMG.

“He’s been a big brother to all of us,” Johnson said. “We wanted to bring him out because we knew that would bring the kids out and get them excited.” 

Brandt Johnson, Bray Freeman, Quadir Pettaway, Will Reynolds, Doug Mcdaniel and Elijah Hawkins, created this community service organization to help African Americans have the opportunity to create wealth within their families and learn valuable life lessons through sports.

What is now an organization of student athletes driven by service, started out as an intimate friend group. The game of basketball united and kept them together.

“Over time, our bond deepened into a brotherhood and family,” said Co-founder of GMG Doug Mcdaniel of Kansas State University. “These friends inspire me to aim high and follow my dreams.”

GMG hopes to teach the youth valuable life lessons through its service-oriented athletic programs.

“You have to be a leader on the basketball court,” Johnson said. “You have to take control.” 

Johnson is the only one who no longer plays basketball, yet his love for the game shows through his passion for service through athletics.

“If I was still playing basketball, I never would have thought of anything like community service outreach for kids that are coming up under me,” Johnson said.

Moving forward, GMG plans to host two more community service events for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are also hopes for potential collaboration with more NBA veterans.

Copy Edited by Features Editor, Niles Garrison