NY Knicks Surprise Harlemite With $60K Scholarship For HBCU Of Choice

HARLEM, NY — The New York Knicks victory over the Houston Rockets in Madison Square Garden on Monday night wasn't the only cause for celebration by the end of the evening, as an 18-year-old high school senior from Harlem also received a life changing scholarship.

The Knicks, partnered with Verizon, honored Historically Black College and Universities on Monday night. Throughout the evening the Knicks organization came together with students and alumni from various HBCUs to pay homage and celebrate the institutions.

Amid the celebrations, the Knicks and the Garden of Dreams Foundation recognized Harlemite Bri Butler, who is part of SCAN-Harbor, an organization that supports at-risk children and their families in achieving their goals.

Butler has already been accepted to seven HBCU schools, and plans to play basketball on her college team.

The Harlemite high schooler was surprised on the court during the game with a $60,000 Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship toward whichever HBCU she chooses to attend.

She was joined on the court by former Knicks star and current Vice President Allan Houston, and City Council Member Crystal Hudson, who graduated from Spelman College.

Along with the scholarship presentation, a 10-person Morgan State University choir sang the National Anthem, the Howard University marching band performed at halftime, and there was an HBCU college fair and HBCU panel before the game.

The Knicks also honored team legend Willis Reed, who died on March 21, and went to the HBCU Grambling State in the 1960s.