NCAA basketball: Incorporating Drake’s “God’s Plan” into the sport

If you could reenact Drake’s video for “God’s Plan”, how would you distribute his $1,000,000 budget?

The year 2018 has been kind to Kentucky superfan, Drake. With the release of his EP, Scary Hours, earlier this winter, Drake seems to be prime position to release a full-length album later this year. Most recently, the Toronto Raptors ambassador released the video for the first song off of his Scary Hours EP, “God’s Plan”. The three-minute video for the rapper’s single features him distributing his $1,000,000 budget to Broward County residents in need.

Following Drake’s spirit of giving, I pondered what I would do if I had a million dollars to improve the world of college basketball. Should I donate it to players in need, upgrading HBCUs or helping out the top players in the sport?

Disclaimer: The distribution of money to amateur athletes is against the rules of the NCAA. This is all in good fun and imagination.

Kelvin Sampson’s Hurricane Relief Efforts

Donation: $100,000

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Houston University’s Men’s Basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson, started an initiative to help those in need of clothes, food, and other essentials. Sampson asked college basketball programs to donate twenty t-shirts and ten shirts each. In doing this, Sampson was able to gather dozens of t-shirts and sneakers for those in need. Supporting Sampson’s effort, I would donate $50,000 to clothing those in need.

Anfernee McLemore’s Post College Career

Donation: $100,000

It goes without saying that Anfernee McLemore‘s ankle injury during the first half of Auburn’s 75-84 loss to South Carolina was one the worst injuries we’ve seen since Russ Smith. While it is possible with modern medicine that he will return to the court better than ever, but his injury should be a reminder of how delicate the career of a college basketball player is.

One second you can be a leading big man for an SEC contender and in the next moment, you can be an afterthought for all of college basketball. While we don’t know the future of McLemore’s career, I’d like to give him fifty stacks to put away for after he leaves college. Regardless of what he does, he should have something to put away in case he doesn’t return to form.

The Sam Toney Scholarship

Donation: $100,000

If you’re not familiar with Sam Toney don’t worry. You’re not alone. As a New Jersey native, I have a soft spot for natives of the Garden State. Over the past year, Toney has risen from Division III college basketball unknown to potential All-American. Toney is a Plainfield, New Jersey native who has bounced around over fifty foster and group homes. His ability to play basketball and his focus have led him to where he is now. The 26-year-old guard is averaging nearly a double-double with twenty points and nine rebounds per game. If I had a start a scholarship in a player’s name, I couldn’t think of a better one than Sam Toney. Preferably, the first recipient would be Sam Toney as he transitions from D-III athlete to working adult.