Detroit Pistons dunk team brings holiday pep rally and a message to Fair Plain middle schoolers

FAIR PLAIN, Mich. -- With the holidays close, schools are finding new ways to keep students motivated. In Fair Plain, Michigan, Fair Plain Middle School turned its gym into a pep rally with a purpose — welcoming special guests from the Detroit Pistons dunk team.

The event started with Aaron Smith, the Pistons’ senior director of youth engagement, sharing how he got his start with the organization. Smith said he wanted to be part of the Pistons so badly that he emailed the team with no connections and waited weeks for a response. When the call finally came, he said it was not the job he pictured — but it was a chance to get in the door. That same year, the Pistons won an NBA championship and Smith earned a ring.

One student got a shot at winning a jersey and four tickets by making two free throws. He made one and missed one. Smith still gave him the prize, focusing on confidence and effort instead of perfection.

“I think the foundation of everything is respect and hard work and believing in yourself and that’s the messaging we try to send these kids,” Smith said.

Fair Plain Middle School Principal Trevin Alexander said he partnered with his brother, Rodney — the founder of the Harbor Impact Foundation — to show students that school can be fun and inspiring.

“I’ve been working with kids since I’ve been little. They are my passion; they are what keeps me going every day. I just love to see them smiling and laughing and learning new things,” Alexander said.

The dunk team kept the energy high with dancing, crowd chants and big plays — and students left the gym smiling. It was more than a show. For many kids, it was a reminder that dreams can start right where they are.