Clifford Omoruyi

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Nigeria-born Clifford Omoruyi first learned to play basketball at The Salvation Army Newark Westside Corps in Newark, N.J. Muhammad Oliver, Cliff’s legal guardian and basketball coordinator at the corps, wanted Cliff not just to get the benefits of learning to play, but also to understand how many people were committed to seeing him succeed.

When Omoruyi became the star center of the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights basketball team, he had the opportunity to give back to the place where he developed his talent.

“Because Cliff is an international student, he’s not legally allowed to earn money from endorsements in the United States,” said Oliver. “So, Cliff asked if what he made could go to The Salvation Army. We learned that he could be paid, if he donated his earnings.”

Earnings from licensing Cliff’s name, image, and likeness bought uniforms for the Newark Westside Corps basketball team and paid for their travel to compete in tournaments. The funds also made it possible to redesign and repaint the corps gymnasium and basketball court.

“It is such a blessing to see the impact that Cliff has had on this organization, on and off the basketball court. The young people who enter our building are inspired to be on the same court as he once was and that means something to our organization,” says Lieutenant Lesley Colón, corps officer at Newark Westside. “His gifts have had so much more value to them than monetary value; they have left a lasting impression on the experience and futures of the young student-athletes within our basketball program.”