March 2, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn freshman guard Mustapha Heron has been named to the SEC Community Service team for men’s basketball, the league office announced on Thursday.
The Waterbury, Conn., native created the Mustapha Heron Skills Academy and Reading Program for students at his high school, Sacred Heart, and students in surrounding counties.
His foundation teaches students in the importance of balancing academics and sports and rewards students who read a certain number of books with incentives like shoes and bags. Heron obtained sponsorships from shoe companies to assist with his efforts.
Additionally, he has worked with the police department in his hometown on a weapons buy-back program.
Heron and his AAU team wore orange emblems to make a statement against gun violence and was highlighted in Sports Illustrated. He is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and donates to Toys for Tots Holiday Program through Auburn University’s SAAC Program.
Heron broke the Auburn freshman record by scoring in double figures in his first 25 games and has now done it in 29 of 30 games. He ranks ninth in the SEC averaging a team-high 15.0 points and ranks 17th in the league averaging a team-high 5.9 rebounds. He is shooting 43.1 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent from 3-point range and 77.0 percent from the foul line.