Derek Fisher is eager for the biggest night of his offseason. This Thursday evening, the New York Knicks head coach will be honored by his alma mater, the University of Arkansas – Little Rock, at its annual SpectacUALR fundraising event.
Normally a man of little fanfare, the Little Rock native and former Trojan basketball star is anxious to take the stage at the event, which benefits the UALR athletic department.
“I’m definitely more than honored and humbled to have this opportunity to come home for different reasons,” Fish said during a press conference on Wednesday. “Most of the times I come back to Little Rock it’s just to kind of sneak in and see friends and family, and really just enjoy our city and community for personal reasons. But I’m really excited about this opportunity.”
Derek’s mother, Annette Fisher, started the event six years ago, and she was its first honoree in 2009. Since then, it has generated more than $1.1 million for Little Rock Trojan student athletes.
Fish grew up in Little Rock and starred on the court at Parkview High School before doing the same at UALR. He left his hometown in 1996 when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. After a long NBA playing career, and one year at the helm of the Knicks, his career has come full circle.
“This event is definitely very special, and for me to be the honoree here in 2015 is quite remarkable,” Coach Fisher said. “I first stepped on this campus long before I was thinking about going to college—I would come to Trojan games just as a kid. To think about coming to school here in 1992 and how blessed I’ve been to now be in this position, some 23 or 24 years later, it’s quite the story. It was not my plan, I think we all know whose plan it was and is, and I’m eternally grateful to Him for that.”
The event will take place at the Jack Stephens Center at 6:30 p.m. CT on the UALR campus. And while Derek will be at center stage as the night’s honoree, he told reporters that the evening is all about Little Rock, UALR and the Trojan student-athletes.
“It’s another opportunity for us to all rally around our city,” Derek said. “Little Rock has always been home to me. I moved away 20 years ago, but it has never left my heart, my soul and my spirit. Tomorrow night brings so many years all into one night. It’ll be a humbling experience for me.”