Richard Pee Wee Kirkland 1:9:25 2.11 PM

Photo: Spotify Promo Card Permission 
Sound effects: Pixabay.com
Story by: Gail Nobles

STREETBALL

Richard “Pee Wee” Kirkland, a streetball legend with a story as dynamic as his game!
Born on May 6, 1945, in the heart of Manhattan, Pee Wee rose from the concrete playgrounds to make a mark in the world of basketball. High school hoops? No problem! At Charles Evans Hughes High School, our man Kirkland was lighting it up as an All-City guard. Let’s give it up for those skills!

With a fierce determination and undeniable talent, Pee Wee earned a scholarship to Kittrell College down in North Carolina. And did he deliver? You bet! Averaging a jaw-dropping 41 points per game, he was a scoring machine!

Then it was on to Norfolk State University, where he teamed up with none other than future NBA star Bob Dandridge. Together, they propelled the Spartans to a spectacular CIAA championship in 1968. With a record of 25-2, they were a force to be reckoned with, though they faced a tough exit in the second round of the NCAA Division II Men's Tournament. But Kirkland didn’t let that stop him!

Now fast forward to 1969. The Chicago Bulls came knocking, drafting him with the fourth pick of the thirteenth round! A life-changing opportunity, right? Well, folks, it seems Pee Wee had other plans—rumor has it he turned down the NBA gig because he was raking in more cash through his hustle in the streets. Talk about choosing your own path!

But Kirkland didn’t just leave the game behind; he transformed it! He created the "School of Skillz," a phenomenal basketball and life skills campaign in partnership with Nike! What started as Saturday camps in Harlem has ballooned into a nationwide movement, inspiring the next generation with skills both on and off the court!

As a high school coach at The Dwight School on the Upper West Side, he clinched championships and made waves—even mentoring youth like Hanif "Camel" Warren. Pee Wee uses his phenomenal street cred and basketball prowess to connect with at-risk youth, helping them navigate their paths and reshape their ideas about what it means to “keep it real!"

Pee Wee Kirkland is more than a name in the game. Make sure to keep an eye on this legend as he continues to spread his message across the nation—on and off the court!
Stay tuned, because this is one incredible story that keeps unfolding, right here in the heart of basketball culture!

You're listening to EPS. I'm your host, Gail Nobles