MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A former NBA player says he is investing in the next generation of leaders and even hoopers by being involved in the Boys and Girls Club. "My job is to give back. I think the Lord put me in a situation where I'm able to help out a lot," said Chris Garner, Director of Craigmont Boys and Girls Club. Students at Craigmont High School in Raleigh know him as the behavior specialist.After school, students may know him as the Club Director at the Craigmont High Boys and Girls Club. New businesses aim to thrive in Downtown Memphis revitalization However, he says his journey with the organization dates back decades. "Just to be able to come back to walk in the same gym that actually made me and helped me become who I am today is a true blessing," said Garner. Garner says that when he was a child, he frequently visited the Ira Samelson Jr. Boys and Girls Club in the Grahamwood Community.He says he always viewed the club as a home away from home and would play basketball with a few of his close friends. "Me and Penny [Hardaway] came to the club together. Elliot Perry was a member here, also. We all attended Treadwell High School," Garner said. "We all went to the University of Memphis, which was Memphis State at the time. We all was blessed to go to the NBA." Garner has an extensive career playing professional basketball in the NBA before eventually playing overseas for several years.In 2017, he was inducted into the University of Memphis Athletics M Club Hall of Fame.However, despite his many adventures, he still found his way back to where it all started. Restaurant Inspection Scores, April 8 – April 14 "I just felt like I had no choice. The Boys and Girls Club was great for me and my friends. It kept us out of trouble," Garner said. "It gave us an opportunity to learn different skills and different sets. It just made you more of a person that just refused to give up." Garner has now made it his life mission to take those core skills he learned as a child and the life lessons he experienced as an adult to invest in the next generation. "We're just an organization that 's trying to give back to the community and give back to the kids and make this place so safe that they want to come, and when they leave, they will want to come back and be a part of the organization in any capacity that's needed." To donate, scan the QR code above ...read more read less