PHILADELPHIA – In true Explorer fashion, three aspects in Amar Stukes’ life have remained constant: family, basketball and his Lasallian values. A homegrown talent, Stukes attended La Salle College High School, a college preparatory school in Philadelphia, and chose to continue his education and basketball career at La Salle University.
Stukes’ impressive play on the court had sparked an interest from multiple universities including Albany, Binghamton, Drexel, and Fairfield, but choosing La Salle University was a “no brainer.”
“La Salle was the closest to my home and family,” said Stukes. “My family is a huge part of my life so, it was important for me to be close to them.”
He first began his basketball career in the Olney Recreational League when he was seven years old.
“I wasn’t very good at all, to be honest,” the point guard said with a laugh.
However, Stukes’ love for the sport encouraged him to continue playing and he would soon find himself on the court representing his high school with much better success.
“Amar was never flustered, he was always under control and composed,” said La Salle College High School athletic director Joe Parisi. “He is one of those players who treated everyone with respect and was given respect both on and off the court.”
#2 La Salle's Amar Stukes tallied 6 points in the Explorer's 87-83 Big 5 victory over Temple - PSD Photo by Patty Morgan
The two-time team captain was named First Team All-Catholic League and Philadelphia Daily News All-City as a senior after averaging 19.6 points per game.
“He is a silent leader and he never once looked for recognition,” said Parisi.
Stukes’ natural leadership abilities were not only present on the court, but also throughout the community.
Within the walls of LSCHS, Stukes worked the La Salle basketball summer camps and tutored inner city children in Philadelphia. He also once gave a school-wide presentation on work ethic.
As a senior, Stukes was nominated to be his school's Kairos retreat leader, one of the highest honors at La Salle College High School. The four-day retreat encourages students to reflect on their relationship with God, themselves, and others.
#2 La Salle's Amar Stukes - PSD Photo by Patty Morgan
“Amar is an extremely genuine person,” said Carol Haggerty, LSCHS mission and ministry associate, who attended Kairos with Stukes. “He has an energy that he brings with him on and off the court. His focus is always on his family and he's is a great brother and support system.”
“I just try to do nice things for the community and people,” said Stukes. “My parents always taught me that if you're able to do something to help someone and you don't, then you're not taking advantage of what God gave you.”
Stukes joins Tom Gola, Chip Greenberg, and Craig Conlin on the list of players to go from La Salle College High School to La Salle University. These four players have each scored 1,000 points during their high school careers. Stukes is one of only six players in its program's history to reach this milestone.
“La Salle College High School was the best four years of my life,” said Stukes when asked to describe his high school experience.
He entered La Salle University and continued to make an impact in and outside the Tom Gola Arena.
Now a graduate student, Stukes moves into his final season and has earned recognition as 2015-2016 Big 5 Scholar Athlete of the Year, Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area team and named one of the most improved players in the Atlantic-10 last season. He shot 82.5 percent from the free-throw line, ranking him 10th in the A-10 and led both his team and the A-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4).
In 2017, Stukes was nominated by the Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Team, which recognizes men and women collegiate basketball players for their great work in the community.
Stukes led the Safe Choices Workshop for his La Salle Team, participated in Bringing Hope Home, which helped raise money for families affected by cancer, fed the homeless at Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission in Philadelphia, as well as joined in teamwork discussions with third graders in Philadelphia public schools.
“I was always taught to help anyone less fortunate than I am,” said Stukes. “The La Salle University community does so much giving and it’s something that I want to be involved in. I want to make an impact.”
As his final season starts to heat up, this Explorer looks to make a deep postseason run. With hopes of making it to "the big dance" and sticking to his motto of “never being satisfied with good enough”, Stukes will undoubtedly continue to leave a lasting impact both on and off the court.
Emilee Desmond can be reached at desmonde1@student.lasalle.edu