Alumni Put Up Points as @MizzouHoops Fans Get Summer Taste of Basketball
7/22/2017 3:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Team Carroll defeated Team Bowers by a score of 137-116 at Mizzou Arena
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Carroll & Bowers Alumni Game took place at Mizzou Arena in front of a large crowd of Black & Gold fans who, away from the mid-Missouri heat, got to see many Tiger greats from the hardwood and the gridiron back at their alma mater. The first-year event was established to benefit a few great causes, with all proceeds being donated to three different charities: The Carroll Family Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia and Granny's House of Columbia.
The Carroll Family Foundation is a non-profit organization started by former Tiger basketball standout DeMarre Carroll after he was diagnosed with liver disease at the age of 21, just a few weeks before the 2009 NBA Draft. The organization focuses on education about pediatric liver disease, as well as raising funds towards diagnostic services and treatments for adolescents suffering from liver disorders and developing enhanced preventatives.
Carroll wants to use his platform to serve as a mentor and educator for youth dealing with the same issues he has had, showing them people believe in them and their futures.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia is an organization with a mission to enable and inspire young people to reach their full potential by being responsible, caring and productive citizens. BGCC aims to create a positive and successful path for children in the Columbia community.
The third organization, Granny's House, is a place in Columbia where children of all religious and ethnic backgrounds can come together. The program is a multi-church effort which takes volunteers from many different areas and backgrounds.
The star-studded event featured many fan favorites, including current NFL players Sean Weatherspoon, Kony Ealy and William Moore, alongside NBA players such as Carroll and former Big 8 Player of Year Melvin Booker. More than 20 former Tiger greats made the journey back to Columbia to help Carroll and Laurence Bowers start a tradition which they both hope to hold at Mizzou Arena again.
It was a high scoring affair that saw Team Carroll pull out a 137-116 victory over Team Bowers. A total of 13 different players scored in double digits, but former Mizzou big man Ricardo Ratliffe was the player of the game on the offensive end, finishing with 39 points on dominant 18-of-21 shooting from the field for Team Carroll.
Highlights from Team Bowers came from former Mizzou wide receiver Jerrell Jackson and Booker. Jackson got the crowd on their feet throughout the game with several high-flying dunks, while Booker stroked a few contested three-pointers, showing Mizzou fans he has not lost his touch from deep.
"I feel like this is my home," Carroll said after the game. "I had an unbelievable time here. We went to the Elite Eight, won the most games in program history, and made a lot of history here. It's amazing to come back.
"I feel like basketball is on the rise, football is up on the rise. I feel like this is the best time for support. We need to show other young individuals that you can be great coming to Mizzou. You can achieve your dreams. You can be in the NBA and the NFL. So that's why we did the event right now."
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