Former Illinois Basketball Star Ayo Dosunmu Starts Amazing Initiative

Ayo Dosunmu starts Amazing Initiative.

Former Illinois Basketball star, Ayo Dosunmu, will always be remembered in Champaign. He was the spearhead behind a complete turnaround in Illinois Basketball’s trajectory. After a decade of mediocrity and painful losses, Dosunmu jolted the Illinois Basketball program back into the upper echelon of the Big Ten. Ayo will be in his third year in the NBA, playing for the hometown Chicago Bulls. Notably, he looks to make a jump after a plateau of a Sophomore year.

In fact, Dosunmu visited Champaign this week. He spent time at Illini Gameday Spirit to sign autographs. Certainly, Ayo has always been huge on being a public presence off the court. He has done lots of work for the community and most recently started a rather awesome initiative.

Good grades, Good life.

Ayo Dosunmu will donate Chicago Bulls tickets to students who make the honor roll at Beasley Academic Center. Dosunmu attended the school in Washington Park from third to eighth grade. This is such a cool story for Dosunmu to reward kids who work hard to make the honor roll. In a video posted by the Bulls, Dosunmu said “kids who normally get C’s or they’re borderline honor roll, it may give them an extra push to help them make the honor roll”

Introducing Ayo’s Scholars! 👏@AyoDos_11 returned to his elementary school to announce the start of Ayo’s Scholars, a program rewarding all students at the school who make the honor roll to receive free tickets to see a Bulls game.

Good luck to everyone back at school! pic.twitter.com/z7pZ5xFXdy

— Bulls Community (@bullscommunity) September 7, 2023

Ayo has hosted a number of charitable events. Additionally, he also held his second annual block party at Little Village neighborhood. The party hosted around 120 kids. Furthermore, this was the park where Dosunmu’s close friend, Darius Brown was killed in a drive-by shooting when Ayo was a teenager.

I caught up with Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu at a block party and basketball clinic he hosted for 120 youths this afternoon in Chicago.

Dosunmu on his fit in a crowded backcourt: “I’m going to make a way,” he said.

Story to post soon @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/0Zu6R1FyGE

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) July 29, 2023

Champaign legend

No one in Champaign will forget Ayo Dosunmu. He made a huge impact on the court and deservedly had his jersey retired. However, he continues to bring a good name to himself and the University. His philanthropic activities and maturity with the media truly highlight that Ayo Dosunmu is one of a kind.

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini. For more Illinois Athletics and Big Ten content from Armchair Illini, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email Alex Kyi at [email protected].