The Morehouse College basketball team recently crossed barriers of circumstance and experience by playing a friendly game against incarcerated athletes at the U.S. Federal Correctional Institution in Atlanta.

As part of the Higher Education in Prisons program, Morehouse students met their counterparts from the Federal Correctional Institution for a game of basketball that transcended the confines of the prison walls.

The experience was both eye-opening and humbling for the Morehouse player. Senior guard Omar Rowe noted how the visit instilled a sense of hope among inmates who often feel forgotten. “ It was clear how much inspiration they drew from seeing people on the outside who still believe in them,” Rowe said.

Derrick Wilson, a student who has been incarcerated for 20 years, emphasized the event’s significance. “For Morehouse to come up in here and demonstrate their willingness to address America’s prison industrial complex was both powerful and transformative,” he shared.

The experience extended beyond the scoreboard. Cedric Taylor III, a business administration major, described the experience as “humbling and powerful,” noting that the competitive yet respectful environment allowed genuine connections. “It meant stepping outside of my comfort zone to connect with people in a unique environment and finding common ground through basketball,” he said.

Willie Preston is the recreation supervisor at FCI-ATL. He emphasized that inclusive activities like this can foster personal growth and break social barriers. “Playing against outside teams like Morehouse College offers opportunities for positive social engagement, skill-building, and stress relief while also reinforcing values like discipline, accountability, and sportsmanship,” Preston said.

More Than A Game

Despite losing 99-48, the spirit of competition and connection resonated deeply with all involved, prompting conversations about choices and second chances. One incarcerated player remarked, “They gave me the desire to learn, listen, and apply myself even more.”

This event uplifted prisoners and challenged the Morehouse players to broaden their perspectives on the justice system and the resilience of those involved in it.

The Morehouse basketball team’s visit is a testament to the transformative potential of connection, understanding, and brotherhood.

This story sources information from an article written by Dr. Kipton E. Jensen, director of the Higher Education in Prisons Program in the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership.