Two-time NBA All-Star and point guard for the Golden State Warriors Baron Davis teamed up with Reebok to give fans at one California public high school a reason to stand up and cheer. Today, at Oakland High School in Oakland, CA, Davis joined Reebok, his athletic footwear and apparel sponsor, to provide product to the school and scholarships to two deserving students as part of the Reebok 4 Real Education & Community Program.

Davis, a California native, and Reebok are conducting an essay contest with a $2,500 scholarship prize to be awarded to one male and one female senior at Oakland High School. Students are asked to answer the question, "How would a scholarship help you fulfill your potential inside the classroom and out in the community?"

As a guide in writing their essays, the students will be encouraged to use Davis' professional success and personal commitment to helping disadvantaged youth. U.S.-based Reebok employees will review the entries and vote for the two essays they think best answer the question. In addition to the scholarships, Reebok will provide sports equipment to the school.

"Reebok 4 Real is about empowering youth around the world to fulfill their potential and lead healthy, active lives. It is our responsibility to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of young people locally and globally," said Denise Kaigler, Reebok's Head of Global Corporate Communications and Corporate Citizenship.

"Baron's dedication to inspiring young people on and off the court makes him a natural fit for our network of empowerment and his involvement will certainly make an impact on the young students at Oakland High School."

Reebok 4 Real is the primary pillar of the new Reebok Global Corporate Citizenship platform, which combines and maximizes the resources and passion of Reebok employees, athletes & artists, and retail partners to create a "network of empowerment" that will help underserved youth around the world fulfill their potential and live successful, active lives. The platform is an evolution of what Reebok has built over the past 20 years with the Reebok Human Rights Award Program.

"We live in a society now where education is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to succeed when I received a scholarship in high school. It was life changing for me, knowing that someone believed in my potential. I can only hope to send the message to the next generation of kids to reach for their dreams," said Davis.

Todd Krinsky, Reebok's Vice President of Sports and Trend Marketing, said: "Baron does a great deal of work with underprivileged kids through his foundation, Team Play. The Reebok 4 Real program is another avenue for him to utilize his star power in delivering a message of empowerment."

"Baron's willingness to be involved is a true sign of his commitment to helping kids and that's why we are so fortunate to have someone like Baron on our team," added Krinsky.

The Reebok 4 Real Education and Community Program is being rolled out to other schools and youth development centers around the world with Reebok athletes and artists, including Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who awarded the program's first scholarships in July 2007.