Alabama A&M men's basketball team visits local elementary school

HUNTSVILLE — Walter Jones was in his element.

Surrounded by dozens of fifth-graders in an elementary school cafeteria, Jones sat at a table laughing as he donned a pair of candy cane reindeer antlers.

The students at Huntsville's Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School loved the moment.

And why would they not?

A 6-foot-5 college junior, who is a guard on the Alabama A&M men's basketball program, was reliving a chapter of his childhood past by having fun and being silly with his peers.

"This is great," Jones said as a group of elementary students laughed while asking him to pose for the camera.
"Getting a chance to spend time with these kids is a lot of fun."

First-year Alabama A&M men's basketball coach Dylan Howard took his team to Martin Luther King Elementary Thursday afternoon, providing the players with an opportunity to visit and interact with the school's students.

The trip was not a new trend.

Since taking over the Alabama A&M program this summer, Howard as put a priority on having his team be in involved in the community.

Before the season started, Howard and several players attended a local basketball camp hosted by the Alabama Autism Society that was geared for special needs students, and the Alabama A&M coach plans to have his players visit other local elementary schools for community service activities.

"We want our players to get out and be involved in things," Howard said. "Being active in the community is something I believe is extremely important.

"Take today for example. These kids love having our players here, but this also is a great experience for our players."

While at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Alabama A&M players and coaches participated in exercise activities with the school's kindergartners during a physical education class. The Alabama A&M players also ate lunch and interacted with students from various grades in the school cafeteria.

"Just seeing how excited the kids were made the day worthwhile," sophomore forward Shaquille Seville said. "They were all so excited. It was great."

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Players Mentioned

#20 Shaquille Seville: F; 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#20 Shaquille Seville
: 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#20 Shaquille Seville

Players Mentioned

#20 Shaquille Seville