How Knicks’ Julius Randle of Dallas has quietly made a difference at NYC high school

Julius Randle thought his visit to the Bronx on Wednesday was only to celebrate the groundbreaking of a permanent building for the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School.

But the Dallas native and Plano Prestonwood Christian graduate was surprised to learn he was part of the celebration. School officials handed Randle a giant gray circular sign with “The Julius Randle All-Star Court” displayed across the front to signify that they were naming the new basketball court in his honor.

Randle, who is entering his sixth season with the Knicks, has contributed and raised more than $1.3 million dollars for the school since it opened its temporary Bronx site three years ago.

“I want to say thank you to the students,” Randle said after the announcement. “This was just an idea years ago, and none of this works without you putting in the work. You guys have to show up to class. You guys have to absorb the knowledge. You guys have to listen. … You guys have taken advantage and put the work in every day.”

The nonprofit, tuition-free school is named after Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, who was in attendance Wednesday, along with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, Knicks legend Walt Frazier and hundreds of students. It was founded in 2021 to serve students who are interested in pursing career paths associated with basketball, such as broadcast media, facilities management, law, nutrition, sports psychology and venture capitalism.

“The game has given me a lot,” Randle told The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday in a phone interview. “There are a lot of great people who have given back and helped me along my career and I’ve always thought it was my responsibility to pay it forward. Being here in New York has been special in my career, but having an opportunity to give back to the kids, most importantly.”

Randle, who has had a connection with Monroe since signing with New York as a free agent in 2019, asked how he could be of assistance with the school. That led to his “30 for 3″ campaign, which pledged $500 to the school for each 3-pointer he made, with matching contributions from the community.

“I wanted to make as many 3s as possible, but if anything, it drove my attempts up,” Randle said. “Every time I made a 3, it was like, ‘All right, that’s more money for the kids.’ It’s a cool little thing throughout the season to follow and track.”

Randle finished the season with 76 3s before missing the final 36 games because of injury, amounting to $38,000 for the school.

He said Monroe’s community efforts and his legacy as one of the greatest players in Knicks franchise history spurred him to make the commitment.

“Being able to give back, I felt he was a great leader and person to follow in his footsteps,” Randle said. “The relationship just started organically and it turned into this. It’s amazing.”

His contributions led to the hiring of seven full-time literacy enhancement teachers at the school, which has since seen average reading levels increase from a fourth-grade level to just shy of a ninth-grade level in three years, officials said.

Only half of the children entering the ninth grade in September 2021 were reading at grade level, and 80% of the students were deemed “at risk” (more than two grade levels behind) in reading, according to the school. That number was reduced to 47% by the end of the 2021-22 school year.

“The school is unique because it accepts kids who maybe aren’t getting the academic attention that they need. They’re maybe a little behind,” Randle said. “From the moment that the school opened, kids’ reading levels have went up.”

The new five-story, 69,000-square-foot building, which is scheduled to open in January 2026, will boast a contemporary design and state-of-the-art amenities, including a gymnasium, broadcast studio, student lounge and more.

“The school has a great basketball team, but it’s creating opportunities in the field of basketball, whether it’s sports broadcasting, nutrition, trainers, therapists, whatever it is,” Randle said. “It’s not just basketball, there are coaches. They’re giving kids unique opportunities to touch the basketball world on all different sides.”

Randle was one of the top players in the nation as part of the class of 2013 at Prestonwood, where he won three TAPPS state titles. He credits his mom, along with the school, for his moral compass and for establishing the importance of giving back to the community.

“I don’t necessarily do things for notoriety,” Randle said. “Do I want to raise awareness? Yes, because we want as many people as possible to donate and be a part of the campaign, and help provide more opportunities for the kids.

“But at the end of the day, I just try to do what’s right. Take my blessing that God gave me and try to affect as many people as I can. I’m extremely blessed and had that unique opportunity growing up as well. It’s just my job to pay it forward.”

The Knicks and most other teams, including the Mavericks, open training camp Tuesday, but this week was an opportunity for Randle to focus on the groundbreaking at the school.

“Hopefully we can continue to open up more locations, continue to impact, spread the joy and love and give opportunities all across New York and all across the country,” Randle said. “Every time I’m able to visit Earl Monroe School, give back and just spend time with the kids, it’s an energy boost. I love it.”