‘Helping people is bigger to me’: Shockers basketball player organizes NYC fundraiser
The ride across the George Washington bridge into New York City from his home in Englewood, New Jersey is a familiar one to Tyson Etienne.
The city is the home away from home for the 20-year-old Wichita State sophomore basketball player, but Etienne couldn’t say he had spent much time in East Harlem.
That changed Sunday, when Etienne organized a fundraiser that helped provide meals, clothes and shoes, hand-delivered by Etienne and a few of his friends and family, to the elderly and families in need in an East Harlem neighborhood.
“Helping people is bigger to me than putting the ball in the basket,” Etienne said. “If I can help somebody in any way, shape or form, I think that’s bigger than any of that. These are hard times, so I figured a fresh pair of sneakers could brighten up anyone’s day.”
Etienne’s inspiration for the fundraiser was entirely his own, but the East Harlem location was inspired by a former basketball coach who was influential to Etienne growing up.
Shaun Commodore still remembers a boisterous 8-year-old named Tyson from Jersey coming to play for his 10-and-under team. Although he only coached him one year, Commodore has remained a fervent supporter of Etienne throughout his career.
When Etienne hatched his plan, his first thought was to team up with Commodore, a community leader in East Harlem.
“This is a kid from Jersey who has no ties to this community, but he wants to help and give back,” Commodore said. “You just don’t see that very much. Most ball players wait until they make it to the league to use their voice, but I’m glad that Tyson is using his right now because it’s a beautiful thing.”
Etienne organized the fundraiser that helped pay for nearly 100 meals from FIELDTRIP, a local restaurant, and then helped deliver the meals to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down New York City. He also went around and collected clothes and shoes to give to at-risk youth in the neighborhood.
Drew Metz, who coached Etienne his junior year of high school at Long Island Lutheran, was one of those alongside Etienne’s family to help hand out the food and clothes.
“He probably came up with two boxes of clothes and 40 pairs of sneakers on his own,” Metz said. “It was really beautiful. People might just view him as this really good basketball player, but Tyson is such a well-rounded human being. He has a huge heart and he’s always looking to help any way he possibly can.”
Etienne, who averaged 9.4 points and made 38.8% of his three-pointers, returned home to New Jersey shortly after WSU’s 23-8 season was abruptly ended in mid-March.
But now when he takes that ride across the George Washington bridge, Etienne’s heart breaks for the city and for the people he loves so dearly. He’s seen first-hand the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on those in need all over the city, so he decided to do something about it in his own way.
“Whenever you think about New York City, you always think about the energy. It’s the city that never sleeps,” Etienne said. “People are always outside and doing something. To walk around the streets these past two months and see virtually nobody outside, it definitely puts things in perspective. For me, it’s made me always be grateful for what I have and to cherish every moment and all of the blessings I have.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 6:05 AM.
.jpg)