Birmingham, Ala. – In a continuing effort to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes beyond the field of competition, the SEC once again highlighted a Community Service Team for men’s basketball for the 2015-16 season.
This marks the 18th year for the SEC Community Service Team for men’s basketball as well as for women’s basketball. All 21 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004, with at-large teams for men’s and women’s sports being chosen from 1999-2003. The SEC began this concept with a football Community Service Team in 1994.
Arthur Edwards – Alabama | Sr. | G | 6-6 | 217 | Washington, D.C.
Although he has been on campus since last May, Arthur Edwards has already made a big impact in the Tuscaloosa community … he helped build a house for the Habitat for Humanity in September, 2015… has volunteered his time to visit patients and staff at the VA Medical Center … assisted with Project Angel Tree in Tuscaloosa which includes spending time over the holidays with the children of parents who are incarcerated … has visited local elementary schools to read and speak about the importance of staying in school … volunteered over the Christmas holiday at a local soup kitchen and shelter.
Keaton Miles – Arkansas | Sr. | F | 6-7 | 212 | Dallas, Texas
Is heavily involved in coordinating and leading community service projects for the team … Has participated in Boys & Girls Club back pack giveaway, University recreation wheelchair basketball exhibition, Arkansas Children’s Hospital … MLK Youth Clinic … Arkansas career development workshop … Yvonne Richardson Center Christmas ham giveaway … Samaritan’s Feet, Ruby Children’s Hospital … Special Olympics … Red Ribbon Rally, Sweat Hawgs and Book Hawgs program member with local elementary schools … Member of the Razorback Leadership Council.
Jordon Granger – Auburn | Sr. | F | 6-8 | 220 | St. Louis, Mo.
Visits patients annually at the East Alabama Medical Center (Cancer Center and Pediatrics); Volunteers regularly with the Jason Dufner Foundation End Child Hunger Imitative by stuffing back packs of food for children in Lee County; Participated in the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Beads of Courage project where he wore a bead in honor of a child with cancer and then wrote the child a note to encourage him; Visited children at Camp Good Grief, a local grief camp for children who had recently lost a member of their immediate family to cancer; Spoke to students at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County and assisted them with their homework; Volunteered with the Auburn United Methodist Church food pantry; Took pictures with fans and passed out candy at the City of Auburn’s annual Downtown Trick or Treat; Volunteered at the Auburn Christian Women’s Job Corp Banquet; active in the FCA
DeVon Walker – Florida | Jr. | G/F | 6-6 | 203 | Winter Haven, Fla.
Walker has been an active participant in the Goodwill Gators program, which provides opportunities for student-athletes to give back in the community. He has been involved in visits to hospitals and community support programs for troubled youth. Walker also spent time with other Gator athletes over the Thanksgiving holiday boxing up food at a local church for donation deliveries to needy families in the Gainesville community. Walker has also been a regular participant in UF’s annual Climb for Cancer, where children receiving treatment at UF Shands Hospital visit the Gator athletic facilities and enjoy activities with Florida athletes. SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2014 and 2015, SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2013
Yante Maten – Georgia | So. | F | 6-8 | 240 | Pontiac, Mich.
Visited Camp Twin Lakes, a summer facility for children whose lives have been affected by cancer; Spoke to students at Alps Road Elementary School about the importance of education; Served as “celebrity guest” at pep rallies at local elementary schools as students prepared for vital “CRCT” state-wide tests; Recognized for taking part in a group determined to clean up graffiti in his hometown of Pontiac, Mich.; Assisted with shopping to provide Christmas presents for a member of the Athens Boys and Girls Club; Volunteered at the annual “Do It For Broph 5K Run/Walk” held in honor of deceased former Bulldog Kevin Brophy; Helped man a water station at the annual AthHalf, Athens’ half marathon.
Marcus Lee – Kentucky | Jr. | F | 6-9 | 224 | Antioch, Calif.
Since his arrival to UK, Lee has given more than 100 hours to the community in a variety of avenues … Spearheaded projects such as God’s Pantry, UK Blanket Project where student-athletes made blankets for children’s hospital patients … Salvation Army bell ringer … Volunteers for Hospital visits … Samaritan’s Feet … Participant and volunteer in National Student Athlete Day and the UK Athletics Welcome Back Picnic … Mainstay at UK basketball camps … Represented UK at local hospital visits at each of the last two Final Fours … Volunteers to speak as a motivational speaker at his high school Deer Valley in Antioch, Calif. Treasurer of SAAC … 2015-16 Good Works Nominee … 2015 SEC Community Service team member … Two-time All-SEC Academic team member.
Keith Hornsby – LSU | Sr. | 4 | 6-4 | 210 | Williamsburg, Va.
Read Across American Day at La Salle Elementary; Halloween BOOzar; Thanksgiving with the Tigers, Hospital Visits at Our Lady of the Lake; Move-In Day helping freshman and families move into dorm room, Appeared in Special Olympics Video; Took part in Mike’s Kids Club Basketball Clinic. Worked with The Spring Greening project around campus.
Tomasz Gielo – Ole Miss | Sr. | F | 6-9 | 228 | Szczecin, Poland
Gielo is an active participant in a variety of team community service projects … A regular visitor to the Oxford Boy’s and Girl’s Club to help mentor local youth … Helped organized basketball clinic for local Boy’s and Girl’s Club to educate youth on the benefits of physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle … Participated in ‘Reading with the Rebels’ program, which sends Ole Miss student-athlete to area schools to read to children and promote literacy several times throughout the year.
Gavin Ware – Mississippi State | Sr. | F | 6-9| 260 | Starkville, Miss.
In his four years at Mississippi State, Gavin Ware has been very active in the community. He’s visited Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, where he’s read and sang with kids. In both the offseason and during the regular season, he reads to children at the local Starkville schools. He’s also been actively involved with kids’ fitness programs at the local park and rec center. He’s also participated in numerous community family nights in Starkville, promoting reading and MSU basketball. Gavin also assists in various basketball clinics for youth programs. Very active in his church, Gavin also sings and plays musical instruments.
Ryan Rosburg – Missouri | Sr. | F | 6-10 | 260 | Chesterfield, Mo.
Food Bank of Central Missouri volunteer … Special Olympics volunteer … Caleb’s Pitch volunteer … Boys and Girls Club mentor … Frequent visitor to MU Children’s Hospital … Participant in MU Children’s Hospital Carnival … Often reads to elementary school classes … Three-time SEC academic honoree
Mindaugas Kacinas – South Carolina | Sr. | F | 6-7 | 229 | Klaipeda, Lithuania
Has volunteered at numerous community outreach events during his time at South Carolina … During his senior season, Kacinas participated in the second annual “8K In 8 Days” campaign, visiting with children from the Epworth Children’s Home and also at the “Moving and Learning with Gamecock Basketball” event, interacting with over 250 kids at a city park in Columbia … Delivered flowers to cancer patients at Palmetto Health Hospitals … Helped referee games, and provide instruction at a youth clinic at the Riverbluff Basketball Camp … Delivered season tickets to Gamecock fans … Volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, helping to organize its food pantry and helping to clean guest rooms for new arrivals … After historic and devastating floods in Columbia last October, helped at a Red Cross Flood Relief Shelter, providing support to volunteers by sorting food, clothing and interacting with children at the shelter … Participated in the Garnet and Black Madness event on campus … During his four years on campus, Kacinas has also volunteered with Transitions, helping to prepare and serve meals for the homeless, spent time with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Innersole, and numerous other events and causes throughout the Midlands.
Kevin Punter Jr. – Tennessee | Sr. | G | 6-2 | 190 | Bronx, N.Y.
Senior point guard Kevin Punter Jr. has been a team leader as it relates to community outreach efforts since his enrollment at Tennessee in the summer of 2014. This season has been no different, as the Bronx, New York, native helped conduct the annual “Hoops for Hope” event in West Knoxville, was a guest reader at local elementary schools, spent time with area children at UT’s VOL-oween event and also made multiple visits to kids and their families at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Kyle Dobbins – Texas A&M | Sr. | G | 6-0| 175 | Houston, Texas
Along with Texas A&M’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, participated in Aggies Can, the largest student-run food drive in the country … Talked to students in the STAAR Pep Rally, event where A&M student-athletes put on a pep rally at local schools encouraging students to read … Texas A&M’s Big Event, performing various duties around the Bryan/College Station community … Took time to visit children in Houston area hospitals … Also made time to meet with kids at Still Creek Ranch (local boy & girls home), encouraging children who have been removed from crisis environments … Hard-working, high-energy senior who’s been a big part of the A&M men’s basketball team for the last four seasons … Nominated for CoSIDA Academic All-District.
Luke Kornet – Vanderbilt | Jr. | F | 7-1 | 240 | Lantana, Texas
Member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and helped organize the department’s annual Christmas party for elementary schools around Nashville. He also volunteers at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital on the Vanderbilt campus. He is a two-time member of the CoSida Academic All-District team member and was a member of the 2014-15 SEC Academic Honor Roll and the 2013-14 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics