Lonnie Walker is working to inspire the children of his hometown

Over the last few weeks, the Spurs have been releasing videos (sponsored by Frost Bank) telling the stories of the young Spurs and where they come from. First, there was Dejounte Murray and his road back from a devastating injury suffered last preseason. Next was Derrick White’s rise from a scrawny high school player with no scholarship offers to NBA starter.

However, the next release has to be the most inspirational one yet. 2nd-year guard Lonnie Walker IV grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, which was dubbed the poorest city in America when he was young. He was a part of the suffering there, sometimes going without a meal or splitting a $1 burger with his mom for dinner, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dreams.

He worked hard in school and practiced basketball with his dad so he could reach his goal of being a professional athlete to help his family get out of poverty. With the help of everyone around him, he succeeded and is now determined to help others from his home down do the same. The best part is without a doubt every elementary school classroom in town having a letter he wrote when he left for the University of Miami, blown up into a poster, encouraging the young children to work hard and follow their dreams.

I don’t know if it’s the fall allergies creeping in or if someone is cutting onions around here, but one thing is for sure: my eyes aren’t watering because of this video. Not one bit.