Danny Granger, arguably the most gifted UNM men's basketball player to ever come through Albuquerque, is making the largest financial gift in Lobo Athletics history.
Granger, who played for UNM in the 2004 and 2005 seasons, will make a $500,000 donation to the athletics program, Athletics Director Paul Krebs announced Wednesday.
"Any time you get this kind of generosity, it's huge for a university," Krebs said. "I believe it carries extra significance - extra meaning - coming from a student athlete."
Granger's donation will be deposited in $100,000 increments over the next five years and will go toward renovations to The Pit and University Stadium.
Krebs said UNM plans to name the locker room in University Stadium after Granger - pending approval from the Finance and Facilities and Naming Committee, as well as the Board of Regents.
"As our young men go into that locker room every day, they're going to know the name Danny Granger, and the leadership that he is displaying here is greatly appreciated," Krebs said.
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Granger's donation will expedite the plans to renovate The Pit that were already in place, Krebs said.
Granger blossomed into a star during his two seasons at UNM. He was a two-time All-Mountain West Conference selection, and he led the Lobos to the MWC Championship during the 2004-05 season.
In that senior season, he was named third-team All-American, and he was drafted 17th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2005. In three seasons with Indiana, Granger has averaged 13.7 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. He averaged 19 points per game last season and is gaining respect as one of the bright young stars in the NBA.
Granger has stayed active in New Mexico since being drafted, hosting basketball camps for youth during the summer.
While at UNM, Granger played under former head coach Ritchie McKay and Rudy Davalos, who was athletics director during Granger's career.
Despite his recent stardom, Granger said he has not forgotten his days at UNM and was glad to make the donation.
"To give back to the University that helped me, it's kind of the least that I could do," he said.
UNM Head Coach Steve Alford said his team will be the biggest beneficiary of Granger's contribution.
Alford said Granger's donation can help send a positive message to the players on his team.
"We're just obviously very appreciative anytime that you have a former player give back in this magnitude," he said. "And it's really everything we've been preaching to our team. It's about unselfishness. It's about team first."
President David Schmidly said that along with the obvious financial boost, Granger is helping give the Lobo athletic community a positive image.
"There's nothing more important at any university than your legacy, and this young man represents our legacy," Schmidly said. "He was an outstanding player, an outstanding student athlete and displayed all the kinds of character and leadership that you like to see in a player. He's had a wonderful career professionally, and yet he cares enough to give back to the University of New Mexico."
