POTSDAM -- Several players from the Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Team were in town at A.A. Kingston Middle School Wednesday, Nov. 16 in advance of their fund-raising game Sunday, Nov. 20 for the Kiwanis Club’s programs.

In an hour-long assembly at the school, 5th through 8th graders heard the players tell how they stayed positive as they overcame obstacles in their lives and reached for their goals.

Each story provided inspiration and motivation to the students, teachers, and staff.

Alexander “Pops” Wright, Jr. shared the meaning of his nickname, “Positive Optimistic Player Success,” that he said was based on how his father lived his life. It is the inspiration he uses to share with students how to stay positive no matter what people say or do, he told them.

The assembly also included music, ball-handling, some fun interaction with teachers and students, and free tickets for the Sunday game for some students.

The players also spent an extra 45 minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures with students.

The appearance at the school was sponsored by the Potsdam Parent Teacher Student Association and the Potsdam Youth Basketball Association, in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Potsdam’s Harlem Ambassadors vs. Potsdam Local Heroes game in the Potsdam High School Gymnasium.

There is more on the Harlem Ambassadors school programs at http://www.harlemambassadors.com/school_program/index.php