Melvin Adams was an NCAA All-American basketball player, professional basketball competitor, and a member of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. He came to Watertown High School on April 29th to encourage students in an assembly, making a great start to Inclusion Week! Students expressed that Melvin was unlike any other speaker they have seen as he brought an uplifting energy to everyone there. 

Melvin called students up to the front, showed them a basketball trick, and had them copy him. A lot of students were embarrassed and thought they couldn’t do it. Afterwards he said, “If you get defeated before you even start, you’ll never win.” 

Growing up, Melvin was surrounded by gangs, prostitution, and poverty. He was angry going to school because he was abused at home.  His teachers were aware of his depression and would often tell him he was awesome. Melvin talked about how important it is to appreciate your teachers because they gave him confidence in a time when he felt worthless. He says, “Everyday you need to build yourself up.” 

When Melvin was starting to succeed in his basketball career, he got lost in alcohol, smoking, money, and a materialistic lifestyle. He wants to encourage young people to stay positive and have good morals. He says it’s hard to pick yourself back up again and again. When talking about getting lost in his materialistic lifestyle he says, “Money can buy a dog, but love makes it wag its tail.” 

Melvin said that without having people who loved and cared about him, he wouldn’t have made it.  He encountered a lot of people who gave him strength and perspective, leading him to success and true happiness. Melvin’s advice to anyone going through a hard time is that there are always people who will help you unless you deny them.