Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas works with Rusk students on the EverFi Vault software to develop financial literacy.

On March 3, BBVA Compass delivered some high-tech tools and some high-altitude NBA stars to HISD’s Rusk School to help the East-End STEM-magnet campus prepare its students to compete academically in the 21st century.

BBVA Compass, the official bank of the NBA, teamed up with Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas, bank brand ambassador and three-time NBA Champion Bruce Bowen, and other NBA greats such as Robert Horry and John Lucas at the school as part of the BBVA Compass Future Builders Program.

“Rusk is a special place, with amazing students full of so much potential and teachers who give their all every day,” said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez. “What we’re doing is bringing to bear BBVA Compass’ own expertise in financial education and giving the students the knowledge and tools they need to build the brightest of futures.”

The Future Builders program uses technology firm EverFi’s web-based financial literacy program to teach students healthy financial habits and basic money management skills at an early age. BBVA Compass volunteers spent time in classrooms teaching EverFi’s Vault financial education course to students. The bank also donated 36 tablets and one tablet-charging cart to Rusk.

BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez helps a student develop financial literacy through EverFi’s Vault software.

“I appreciate everything BBVA Compass and the NBA have done in our school and community, and I’m so proud of the students for embracing the opportunity to learn and grow,” said Dan De Leon, principal of The Rusk School. “It sends a powerful message that we can come together with the business community and find creative ways to bolster Rusk’s mission.”

BBVA Compass and the league’s global social responsibility program, NBA Cares, work together to promote financial literacy to students. Since 2013, the joint financial literacy initiative has reached nearly 16,238 students in Houston, and more than 69,000 students across the U.S. — many of them located in low-income communities.