LaMelo Ball partners with CloseUp360, Yellowbrick to provide 100 scholarships to middle school students

In a partnership with CloseUp360 and Yellowbrick, LaMelo Ball will provide 100 scholarships to middle school students at Vernon Middle School in Montclair, CA.

In a partnership with CloseUp360 and Yellowbrick, LaMelo Ball will provide 100 scholarships to middle school students at Vernon Middle School in Montclair, CA. The scholarships are also a birthday gift to LaMelo’s mother, Tina, who taught and served as the athletic director at the middle school for 24 years.

The scholarships will provide the 100 students a chance to take a pair of courses for free created by Ball through Yellowbrick title Sneaker Essentials and Streetwear Essentials.

Dion Walcott, Yellowbrick’s Vice President of Partnerships, had the following quote in the press release on the scholarships.

“LaMelo is known worldwide for his determination, talent, work ethic, and curiosity. We’re thrilled that he’s working with us to instill some of that same passion in another generation of learners who are intent on pursuing their dreams—just like he has.”

Kim Tovar, Vernon Middle School’s principal, also provided a statement in the release.

“Tina impacted the lives of many children and staff over her 24 years in the Ontario-Montclair School District at Vernon Middle School, and having LaMelo select our school to honor his mother is a testament of how important the Vernon community is to her and the many lives she positively impacted over her career. The scholarships that will be issued to our students in her name will support students for years to come. I know first-hand that education was always a priority for Tina and this is reflective of her legacy at Vernon Middle School.”

Those interested in enrolling in the course at a discounted rate can visit Tina and LaMelo’s special website.

Chasson Randle taking online classes during quarantine, plans to open clothing brand

Golden State Warriors guard Chasson Randle is one of many NBA players taking classes through Yellowbrick. He plans to open a clothing brand called Volhard.

Golden State Warriors point guard Chasson Randle has proven to be a dedicated student.

He graduated Stanford in three years majoring in African and African-American studies. He also began pursing a Master’s Degree in psychology, a process that was interrupted by 2015 NBA Draft preparations, according to Sports Illustrated.

Now, under quarantine, he’s one of the many NBA players taking online classes.

About 35 players including Andre Drummond and Lou Williams are taking classes through Yellowbrick, which works with industry leaders to offer courses that can be completed in six to 12 weeks, according to Sports Illustrated.

It took just three weeks for Randle to complete his selected course called “Fashion Essentials.” He’s planning to open a clothing brand in August.

The brand will be called Volhard, which “loosely translates to the Dutch word for ‘perseverance,'” SI wrote.

The first theme will be based on the the African Ndebele tribe and its “perseverance through colonialism,” SI wrote.

“I think it’s something that’s definitely universal,” Randle said to SI.

Other Yellowbrick courses include “Fundamentals of Global Sports Management,” “Music Industry Essentials,” “Sneaker Essentials” and “Streetwear Essentials,” Sports Illustrated wrote.

Randle has one day left on his 10-day contract with the Warriors.

He has seen minimal action in his three appearances, only attempting four shots and scoring five total points in a little more than 13 minutes per game.

Randle told Sports Illustrated there are no guarantees on a future deal once the 10-day expires.

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