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Hibbett, in partnership with Nike, has officially named the Duncanville High School boys and girls basketball programs as the latest recipient of their F1RST STRING initiative. The $50,000 donation was made to celebrate the launch of The Origin with Duncanville alum and Orlando Magic point guard, Anthony Black.
The donation event took place in a special gathering at Duncanville High School on December 18th, where student-athletes and school staff came together to commemorate Black’s journey from high school standout to NBA success. The F1RST STRING initiative, which focuses on empowering the next generation of student-athletes, provided not only funding for the basketball programs but also additional opportunities for career development and education.
“We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to commemorate the launch of The Origin with Anthony Black than by naming Duncanville as a F1RST STRING recipient,” said Sarah Wangaard, Hibbett Vice President of Marketing. “Anthony’s journey to the NBA has deep roots here, and this program is designed to make a lasting impact for these student-athletes, on and off the court.”
The Origin Launch Event
The event featured a premiere screening of Anthony Black’s inaugural episode of The Origin, an original mini-series produced in partnership with Nike produced by Nice Kicks. The series highlights the stories of emerging sports and culture talent, showcasing the grit, support systems, and perseverance that drive their success. Black’s episode gives an intimate look into his journey from Duncanville High School to being a top 10 NBA Draft pick.
Each player from the boys and girls teams also received a pair of LeBron Witness 8s in Duncanville team colors, adding a memorable touch to the celebration. Anthony Black sent a personal video message to the student-athletes, further inspiring them to pursue their goals both on the court and in life.
A $50,000 Impact and Scholarships
In addition to the $50,000 donation, the F1RST STRING initiative includes scholarships and career opportunities. One student from each of the boys and girls basketball teams will receive four years of scholarship funding along with internship opportunities at Hibbett corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Duncanville ISD Superintendent, expressed gratitude for the generous gesture, emphasizing the long-term benefits for the community:
“We are incredibly grateful to Hibbett, Nike, and Anthony Black for this generous and impactful donation to our boys and girls basketball programs,” said Dr. Goree. “The $50,000 donation, along with scholarships and internship opportunities, will have a lasting impact on our students—both on the court and in their futures. Anthony’s journey is an inspiration, and we are honored to have our school celebrated as a F1RST STRING recipient.”
F1RST STRING: Empowering Future Leaders
Hibbett and Nike’s F1RST STRING initiative aims to create pathways for young athletes to thrive both athletically and academically. By combining resources, mentorship, and opportunities for career development, the program helps young people build strong foundations for success beyond sports.
“We’re excited to name Duncanville as our second recipient of F1RST STRING,” said Robby Bullington, Hibbett Vice President of Stores. “We just launched this program earlier this year, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on high school student-athletes.”
