COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland men's basketball senior Varun Ram met with Asian American LEAD, a youth organization which supports low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth with educational empowerment, identity development, and leadership opportunities through after school, summer, and mentoring programs, on Friday at the XFINITY Center.

Ram spent time with members of the group talking about not only basketball, but life, and encouraged those in attendance to work hard in order to someday have the opportunity to enroll in college. He shared his story to those in attendance with hopes of inspiring Asian Pacific American youth in the community.

AALEAD serves youth from more than 16 ethnic backgrounds, including 380 youth in Montgomery County, the District of Columbia, and Fairfax County. In Maryland, AALEAD runs middle and high school programs onsite at local middle and high schools.