By David Jordan Jr
Greatness is a product of hard work, faith, legacy, and values. The values that are instilled in a person, the example(s) seen and replicated, the work put in, all create a foundation for an individual to achieve success in life. Allan Wade Houston is an example of the end result of applying these attributes to life and being an example for other people in this world to follow.
Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Allan did not have to leave home to see the blueprint; his father Wade Houston and mother Alice Houston created the atmosphere and foundation for success to be visible and achievable for all of the Houston kids. His father Wade became the first black man to sign a basketball scholarship at the University of Louisville in 1962. In 1989 he became the first black man to be named a head basketball coach in the SEC when he was hired by the University of Tennessee. Wade also founded the Black Coaches Association and was a co-founder of the African American Business Alliance. 
Upon completion of an illustrious high school career, Allan played collegiately at the University of Tennesse for his father where he would finish his career second in SEC career scoring behind “Pistol” Pete Maravich. Allan would also be named an All-American, All-SEC, SEC Conference Tournament MVP and be a part of the college select team that practiced against the 1992 USA Dream Team in preparation for the Barcelona Olympics.
The Detroit Pistons would select Allan 11th in the 1993 NBA Draft, where he would play his first two seasons before signing with the New York Knicks in 1996.
During his NBA career, Allan would be named an NBA All-Star twice and win gold in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Retiring from the NBA in 2005, Houston would continue to be an integral part of the Knicks organization, working in executive positions to facilitate on-court development and also being a part of various charitable efforts by the Knicks in the New York community.
The Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, FISLL is a foundation founded by Allan that is based on five fundamentals that can be credited to success in any area of life; faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership, and legacy. Through his organization, Allan has been able to provide mentoring, guidance, leadership and hands-on experiences for youth to follow their goals and achieve in their lives.
Allan talked to ESHE about what it means to be a Knick, the importance of faith and the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation. His father Wade talked to ESHE about lessons learned from legendary basketball coaches Denny Crum and John Wooden.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE
Visit The Allan Houston Legacy Foundation HERE
