John Carroll 2018 alumnus Immanuel Quickley decided to come back to his alma mater to help with the basketball program by launching the Immanuel Quickley Foundation and awarding five scholarships per year to the best candidates in the upcoming freshman class.

Immanuel currently plays for the Toronto Raptors as a point and shooting guard. He was the 25th round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Accompanied by his family, friends, and agent, he arrived at JC on Tuesday, March 25 to award two of the five scholarships.

The first two recipients were announced at a press conference in the Upper Gym. This took place after Immanuel had breakfast and shared words of wisdom with the finalists.

Before the scholarships were announced, a number of individuals gave short speeches regarding the reason that everyone was all gathered.

The first speech was offered by JC President Steve DiBiagio who said, “Sports have the power to inspire.”

Mr. DiBiagio discussed how JC embraces the various sports in which students participate.

This led to comments from the next speaker, English Department Chairman Matthew Blair who taught Immanuel and was known to be his favorite teacher when he attended JC.

Following Mr. Blair’s words, Immanuel’s mother, Nitrease Quickley, shared what the Immanuel Quickley Foundation is all about.

She said, “Our mission is to enhance the lives of others.” She discussion the core values of the new and foundation. The first core value is hard work; she explained it by telling a story from Immanuel’s time at JC.

As the story goes, one day after school, Immanuel had gone to the gym to practice basketball when one of the teachers asked him if he was going to the Homecoming Dance — to which he replied, “What dance?”

This showed his dedication to what he longed to do and what he chose to do with his time. Then, when everyone was cleaning up the dance, he returned to the Upper Gym when his workout was over.

Ms. Quickley cited the second core value as perseverance. “Life will be challenging, and you need to persevere.”

Members of the Quickley family made it very clear how important faith is to them and their foundation as Ms. Quickley shared that is critical to “have faith and overcome the haters.”

She closed her speech by saying, “If you want something in life, it’s very important to work hard. . . no matter what, you cannot give up.”

JC Junior Shiloah Quickley shared that her brother’s “character is unmatched” and added that “Quickley is more than a name; it relates me to the people I look up to most.”

Once everyone finished their speeches, it was time for Immanuel himself to take the stage. Before announcing the winners, he said, “I want people to know me more for the person that I have become rather than the good basketball player that I am.”

Immanuel talked about the impact that John Carroll had on him since he graduated from the school in 2018. “JC is a place where I can consider home.”

He also spoke about his goals and hopes for his scholarship, “I hope this scholarship gives the athlete a chance to be a better person and someone who can change the world.”

The two recipients were announced by Ms. Quickley and given signed mini basketballs by her son.

Christian Snead, an eighth grader from Aberdeen Middle School was the first to be awarded.

Christian is known to be a well-rounded individual who is mature and responsible. His interests are basketball and environmental science. He was accompanied by his younger brother Jordan who came to support him.

The second recipient was Julian White, an eighth-grade student at Edgewood Middle School. He is recognized as friendly and respectful and possesses a good attitude. His interests are basketball and football.

Immanuel said that JC gave him his “faith, my work ethic, early mornings in the gym, staying late, care factor, and a great family environment.”

Ms. Quickley said Immanuel was looking for “people who were good athletes, better people, minorities, and to help out people in need” for the scholarships.

Immanuel said that he hopes the scholarship not only helps out athletes but makes a change for the school in addition to the basketball program.

He hopes to influence others to want to give back to the community.

Immanuel hopes to inspire the next generation “on and off the court” during his next chapters of life.

The launch of the Immanuel Quickley Scholarship is monumental for the John Carroll community and will be remembered by many.

Immanuel said, “I hope I was able to inspire the youth and people around the world to go after their dreams. I hope people will know me as a great basketball player, but an even better person. Someone who showed God’s love.”