As part of TCU鈥檚 150th anniversary, TCU is highlighting notable Horned Frog leaders who found their inspiration at TCU with a series of hand-painted, large-scale murals and events in cities across America.
The latest mural will be complete April 4 in Nashville and features , NBA player for the Memphis Grizzlies and a youth advocate. The Grizzlies are currently ranked second in the Western Conference.
Bane credits TCU鈥檚 coaching staff and his TCU College of Education professors for providing him with a 鈥渉ome away from home.鈥�
鈥淢y support system had everything to do with my success, and it still does,鈥� said Bane. 鈥淚t keeps me anchored along this journey. TCU is a close-knit family, like the one I came from. Without TCU, I wouldn鈥檛 be the man that I am today. To be recognized by my alma mater and to leave my mark means the world to me.鈥�
Bane also credits TCU with sparking his interest in becoming a youth advocate and helping generations of students build a better future. Today he participates in basketball camps, backpack drives and other opportunities using his platform as a professional athlete to inspire and motivate kids.
鈥淚 chose youth advocacy as a major because of my love for my community and my love for kids who are in the same position that I was in growing up,鈥� said Bane, who was raised in Richmond, Indiana, with a population of around 30,000. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 get a chance to see too many people playing Division I basketball, playing in the NBA, and doing successful things outside of high school. I wanted to be that light and guidance for them 鈥� something that I wish that I had when I was growing up 鈥� to help them reach their dreams and goals.鈥�
The mural featuring Bane is 20 feet high and 45 feet wide. It is located at in Nashville. The state capital provided a central location and large metropolitan
area to recognize a star of the state's home team. The bold mural, painted in TCU鈥檚
signature purple, is accented with the Sesquicentennial year creative featuring a
prismatic purple sunrise gradient. It features a photorealistic portrait of Bane and
unique, dynamic lettering featuring his inspiring quote: 鈥淣o one achieves their dream
alone.鈥�
鈥淒esmond represents the character and tenacity of all Horned Frogs who are empowered to lead on 鈥� in his case both on and off the basketball court, and in his personal and professional life,鈥� said TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. 鈥淔or 150 years, TCU has developed students like Desmond, helping to shape them into leaders of action who have an outsized impact across our communities.鈥�
Bane鈥檚 larger-than-life portrait in Nashville is the third mural in the TCU series that recognizes outstanding individuals that represent TCU鈥檚 alumni leading on in extraordinary ways.
The first two murals in the series were unveiled in New York City and Los Angeles and spotlighted alumnus of 鈥淗amilton鈥� and alumna , a producer/writer for 鈥淣CIS鈥� and wheelchair athlete. Other mural subjects and locations will be announced soon, with the final mural debuting in Fort Worth in fall 2023.
