UNC Greensboro Athletics: Spartan Men's Basketball Reflect On MLK's Legacy

Greensboro NC

18 January, 2022

1:05 PM

Description

Press release from UNC Greensboro Athletics: 1/17/2022 12:00:00 PM Story Links Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 93 years old on Monday. It has been 54 years since King, a man of peace and drum major for justice, was assassinated in Memphis. As the nation paused to reflect on the extraordinary life of King and continue his work, a few UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball players took time to share what his legacy means to them and how they are inspired by his core values today following their game against Mercer on Saturday. Players and coaches offered their thoughts on how they are living out King's values. "He wanted to bring everybody together," said UNCG junior guard Kobe Langley. "I felt like that was important because we were so individually divided, but now I feel like his speech, drive, and hunger to get everybody together has worked out. We are still working to make his dream a reality." UNCG first-year head coach Mike Jones was able to see a comparison between what King believed in and the culture he instills in his championship-level program. "The number one thing that's motivating about his life, is against all odds, he never quit." Jones said. "That's something we bring to our team, no matter how much time is on the clock. We fight until the end and that's the way it is, not only in the game, but in the game of life. "Life is going to throw you a lot of curves and you have to be able to take that. It doesn't always go your way. You might get knocked down as he did in his life, get arrested and get denied the things he was fighting for initially, but they were in it for the long haul. He was a leader. Fearless when he came to fighting for what he believed in. "The other thing for me is when we talk to our guys, we tell them that if you believe in something, fight for it. It's worth it. You must be ready to roll up your sleeves against all odds and fight for it. Those are things in his life that he did that inspired me." King's core values, kindness, service, courage, love, and leadership were centerpieces of many of his iconic speeches. King put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for everybody. "He stood for unity and loving your neighbor for the content of their character," UNCG junior guard J.C. Tharrington said. "Not judging them by anything else. It was just the type of person he was. He helped bring our country forward. We still have work to do." Thanks to social media, King's teachings and impact live forever. A scroll through timelines will reveal many postings are a King motivational quote. His brave and patriotic words continue to inspire people across the world, including UNCG senior forward Mohammed Abdulsalam. "It's crazy because all the things he talked about (during his life), it's still going on," he said. "We still cherish all the things he said and the messages he was trying to get across. I feel like in 2022, we can still go back in time and know that it was huge back then and it's still huge now right now. We must keep moving and pushing forward. "It's definitely going to get better. I can't say when, but I know it will. We have come a long way as Black people and we have made huge strides. I feel like we are making them daily. As a young Black man, I understand the struggle and fight so that's why everything I do, I try think how it will impact me and others around me." NOTE: The Spartans host Chattanooga on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. and Samford on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. ... This Thursday's game is a Blackout game as the first 1,000 students will receive a shirt courtesy of University Village ... We will also celebrate First Responders Night ... All first responders receive free admission ... Tickets can be purchased HERE. Print Friendly Version This press release was produced by UNC Greensboro Athletics. The views expressed here are the author's own.