Former UK Basketball star gives back to Special Olympics athletes

UK Basketball great, Olympic Gold Medal Champion and NBA Player Tayshaun Prince spent the evening Thursday giving back.

“It’s something that was very special and dear to me,” Tayshaun Prince said.

In the past year, Prince has worked and played alongside special Olympics athletes, so on Thursday he wanted to give back to the cause he is passionate about.

“I tell people, and just like they told me- you’re not gonna know how it feels until you go,” Prince said.

Prince spent time signing autographs and taking photos with fans at the inaugural Chew for a Cause farm-to-table dinner at Fasig Tipton Dining Room Thursday night.

The dinner featured a menu created by Chef Cole Arimes of Coles 735 on Main. The dinner was a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Proud Product and Special Olympics Kentucky.

Prince said he hopes to make Special Olympics athlete’s experiences life-changing.

“At the end of the day it’s all about having fun and making sure they had the experience of a lifetime,” Prince said.

Special Olympics Kentucky provides year-round sports training and competition programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“We’re currently serving over 7,800 athletes state wide. We provide sports training and competition in over 16 sports,” Special Olympics Kentucky President and CEO Trish Mazzoni said.

The event raised $10,000 that will go to support Special Olympic Kentucky athletes.