Last year, Darrell Walker the new head coach of the men’s basketball team at historically Black Clark Atlanta University debuted the inaugural Darrell Walker Art and Basketball Fundraiser. Walker used his contacts in the sports, entertainment, and arts fields to secure donations of artwork and memorabilia that were auctioned off to raise money to pay for summer school tuition and other academic services for the players on this team.
As a result of the fundraiser, eight players on the Clark Atlanta men’s basketball team were able to attend summer school for free. At this year’s second Art and Basketball Auction, nearly $90,000 was raised. NBA Hall of Famer Bernard King participated in this year’s event. He stated that this “really speaks to who Darrell is as a person and what he believes is important in life. I believe the contribution he is making at Clark Atlanta is truly special and you’re really lucky to have him. What he has done with his artwork and his collection to help and assist with the program is one of a kind.”
Coach Walker expects even more players will be able to attend summer sessions as a result of this year’s auction.
Coach Walker’s resume is impressive. An All-American basketball player at the University of Arkansas, he was a first round draft pick of the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association in 1983. During his 10 NBA seasons he was a member of the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls team that won the NBA championship. After his playing days were over, Walker served as head coach for the Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards of the NBA.
