“Like I said from the very beginning, being here in New York City is something that means a lot to me. I really want to make myself a part of this community,” Randle said. “Not just with Knicks basketball but philanthropy in the city."

Local financial institutions, investment banks and local businesses have combined to pledge an additional $2,200 per shot for the campaign, which is called "#30 for 3!"

Randle’s donation is earmarked to the school’s math and literacy intervention programs.

Monroe said the donations from Randle would allow the school to add full-time literacy interventionists and math tutors.

“There was really no better person to team up with at this point than Earl… I just felt like it was the perfect opportunity,” Randle said.

The school – co-founded by Monroe and Dan Klores – opened in August. In addition to core state curriculum, all students major in a different area of basketball that is outside of playing the game.

“When the lights go down and the players go off the court, there’s 100, 200 people behind the scenes that made it happen,” Monroe said. “And they can be one of them.”

Randle has been involved in local charities since he signed with the Knicks in 2019. He and his wife, Kendra, are from single-parent homes where their mothers "had to work for everything," so giving back to children in the community is important to them.

Monroe said he and Klores had a Zoom call recently with Randle and his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA, to talk about Randle’s involvement.

“He said ‘yes’ automatically,” Monroe said. Earlier, he noted, “Sometimes you get fortunate, and we really got fortunate.”

Randle hit 160 threes last season and another 11 in the postseason. And Tom Thibodeau has encouraged Randle and the Knicks to shoot more threes this season.

So the final tally to Monroe’s students should be significant.

During the announcement on Tuesday, Randle thanked Monroe for "allowing me to be a part of" the school, which is said to be the first of its kind.

"Earl’s been a trailblazer in the community. Opening up a school like this, it’s amazing," Randle said. "So I’m happy to be a part of it and happy I could help out."

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