Why Penn State basketball’s Lamar Stevens is all-in on a children’s book, set to be given out Saturday
Lamar Stevens is Penn State’s third all-time leading scorer, a potential NBA draft pick and one of the catalysts for the Nittany Lions’ best basketball season in maybe 20 years — and, now, he’s also a children’s author.
The 6-foot-8 senior is credited with writing, “Lamar’s Climb: A Journey to Happy Valley” that features illustrations by six area children and adults with Down syndrome. The 16-page book, which helps teach state geography, will be distributed free to the first 2,000 fans at Saturday’s nearly sold-out game against Minnesota at the Bryce Jordan Center.
“My name is on it; I’m the one that’s going to get a lot of publicity toward it — but I really think those six kids that spent that time to really sit down and draw are really the ones that deserve it,” Stevens said during a press conference Thursday. “They’re special people, and they really bring happiness to me and this program, especially being around them so much.”
The original print run was supposed to be 500. But after the Big Ten Network ran a brief segment on the idea, so many calls and emails poured into Penn State that the athletic department decided to quadruple the giveaway.
With the demand only increasing, the athletic department and basketball program are also in discussions to print even more for those who can’t attend Saturday’s 4 p.m. tipoff. But, for now, the only way to grab a copy is to be among the first through the gate, which opens at 3 p.m.
“I just think it’s a little way to have a great, deep relationship with our community and the people that come to games, and connect with families,” head coach Patrick Chambers said. “So I think it speaks a lot about Lamar and our program.”
Among the children and adults to contribute are Gabe Billy, the son of team physician Greg Billy; Brooke Fisher, a Bald Eagle Area woman who sings the national anthem at basketball games; Patrick Northup-Moore, a basketball team manager for 12 years; Haley Smith, the daughter of assistant football coach Terry Smith; Emily Thom, sister of marketing intern Abby Thom and Samantha Urgo, the daughter of associate basketball head coach Keith Urgo. (The art was done by Nick Santangelo.)
The book giveaway is part of “Everyone is Awesome” Day at the BJC, and the game will feature several other giveaways. The first 500 children, ages 12 and younger, will receive a free basketball jersey T-shirt and the first 1,000 students will get a Stevens jersey T-shirt. There will also be a postgame book signing, and more than 70 organizations supporting those with special needs will be involved with other activities throughout the game.
For Stevens, the decision to be a part of the book was a no-brainer.
“It was just a big honor for me,” he said. “I think the book is really cool, and I think the kids did a great job on it. So it’s something I’m definitely proud of.”
Penn State’s PJ Mullen, a marketing strategy specialist, approached Stevens about the idea before the season — and Stevens said he was all-in. The basketball team takes part in October’s Buddy Walk, which promotes the acceptance and inclusion of those with Down syndrome, and they also volunteer with Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
So it seemed like a natural fit to Stevens.
“I’ve been around these kids since freshman year, and I’ve developed a great relationship with them,” Stevens added. “I think that book is just a small dose of how awesome they are.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 5:23 PM.
