Memphis Grizzlies’ Ben McLemore Looks to Stop Violence, Strengthen Community

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ben McLemore is using his platform to promote an end to senseless violence in his hometown.

Nowadays, it seems as if violence is involved in every bit of breaking news on television channels, radio airwaves, and social media applications. It is becoming the norm in the United States, which is definitely not acceptable by any means. It is time for major change — a total reversal.

Thus far in 2018, 24 school shootings have occurred in the United States. Things are out of hand and something must change. These are not the only form of violence in the nation that has been running rampant. Regardless, lives are being lost, especially amongst our youth. It is time to put a foot down.

Today is a new day. The focus needs to be on a positive influence. In St. Louis, Missouri — the hometown of Ben McLemore, shooting guard for the Memphis Grizzlies — change is on its way.

How so, you ask?

Being an NBA player, McLemore assumes the celebrity title. With 105.4 thousand Twitter followers and 340 thousand Instagram watchers, the University of Kansas product is globally recognized. Given his status, Ben is going to put his platform to greater use than to drain jump-shots and slam-dunk the basketball.

Next weekend in St. Louis, the fourth annual “BMAC Stop The Violence” charity weekend is taking place. According to Ben McLemore, “the weekend kicks off on Friday [June 8th] afternoon, where I’ll be hosting a free basketball skills camp for children K through 6. Following the camp will be a backpack giveaway and autograph signing.”

To bring the St. Louis community together even more and attract people of all ages, McLemore continues with the full details.

“Saturday [June 9th], we’ll be doing a career fair in the morning, where older adults can seek help with securing employment, and younger kids can meet with working professionals and ask them questions about their line of work, and hopefully see they can make something of themselves without resorting to either basketball or rapping, like many youths in the community may feel is the case.”

Though basketball has made for an excellent professional career for Ben McLemore, his point is for kids nowadays to not rely upon it. It is incredibly difficult to make it to where he stands — the seventh overall selection of the 2013 NBA Draft preparing to enter his sixth season in the NBA.

“Saturday evening is the awards banquet focused on honoring positive role models in the community. I want to shine a light on students, members of the community, and even businesses in the community that are serving our youth — whether that be in the way of outreach, leadership, or philanthropic endeavors. Sunday [June 10th] afternoon is the charity scrimmage.”

The charity weekend is topped off with a concert from rapper Lil Durk, who McLemore says “didn’t hesitate when asked to join the cause.” Lil Durk, being a big celebrity name as well, will utilize his platform to draw people together exactly as Ben. For anyone keeping tally, Lil Durk has 2.8 million followers from Twitter and 3.4 million on Instagram.

One of the largest controversial topics in professional sports over the course of the past year has been within the National Football League and some of its players kneeling during the national anthem. The goal of the football players has been to draw attention to senseless violence with America, but the gesture has caused a large stir rather than focusing on the nation’s problems.

The National Basketball Association has gained increased popularity because they have done a far better job not only in supporting their players, but also bringing communities together to make improvements. Take a look at the Sacramento Kings — Ben McLemore’s former NBA team — as a prime example. The NFL needs to take note.

With the fourth annual “BMAC Stop The Violence” charity weekend, the Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard is stepping away from the playing surface and hitting the streets. He is bringing people of all ages out of their homes and forming unity. A time of togetherness. This is essentially what those NFL players have attempted to carry out; however, Ben McLemore is physically moving the meter himself. No hubbhub, just work.

“Oftentimes when I turn on the news, I see negative clips involving violence. I feel if we focus on the positive, water that plant, so to speak, we’ll end up changing the narrative to a more peaceful one,” says McLemore.

Attempting to put an end to violence is not something new on Ben’s mind. He has been wanting to make a positive impact for quite some time. “The day I was drafted,” he explains to Beale Street Bears. “I don’t see a point in waiting. I’ve been involved in my community the moment I had the means to. Every violent day in St. Louis or any city is one day too many.”

Ben McLemore truly gets the picture. He has a message that should definitely hit home to all Americans.

“The children are our future. As cliche as that may sound, it’s true. And when you’re a kid, you’re like a sponge — soaking in everything from your environment, maybe emulating those that are older than you. If you’re lucky, you have great parental figures, a role model, but if we’re being truthful, that is quite often not the case.”

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Ultimately, Ben McLemore is encouraging children to stay in school and become educated. Then, seek skills and professional careers. For those that are already adults, he is assisting them in finding employment and bettering themselves for their families. All of these characteristics will help lower crime rates in the city, and not limited to St. Louis.

Ben’s initiative seems simple on paper, but it all boils down to effort, hard work, togetherness. He is starting small — one individual at a time — and building this into something bigger.

Beginning in St. Louis, Ben McLemore is open to spreading this movement into additional cities, such as Memphis, Tennessee — his latest home in his NBA journey after signing a free-agent deal with the Grizzlies in 2017.

“I absolutely would,” states McLemore when asked if he would bring his initiative to Memphis if extended the opportunity. “My goal is to stop senseless violence. People with untapped potential are dying every day for no reason. I saw an article that had my hometown listed as one of the most dangerous cities, so I have to start there. I would love to change the world, but I want to do this the correct way. My aim is to increase our reach every year. My team has done a great job in executing my vision, and scaling at the appropriate speed so we really build something with longevity in mind. This isn’t a problem that will be fixed overnight, but I dream of the day our future generations can reach their potential in every way.”

It only takes one to begin the push. Ben McLemore is stepping up to the challenge and leading this major movement in changing America for the better.

For any NBA, Memphis Grizzlies, and/or Kansas Jayhawks fans in the St. Louis area next weekend, definitely stop by the activities to meet Ben McLemore and take part in this great movement.

Go Grizz!