After his brother's encounter with a towering basketball star, Prince Harry is set to meet a sportsman who also stands 6ft 8in and beat the odds to become a success story. The action man royal will join forces with Carmelo Anthony of the New Yorks Knicks to support a coaching programme for young people.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrinces Harry and William support the Coach Core scheme
When Prince William was introduced to LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers on his US tour, there were lots of jokes comparing their shoe sizes. Harry, who has a keen sense of humour, will no doubt take advantage of his engagement on January 14 to make some cracks of his own.
However, the event also has a serious purpose – encouraging youngsters from disadvantaged areas to transform their communities through the power of sport.
The duo are due to meet the first 33 graduates trained under the Coach Core scheme launched last year by the Princes and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Harry will meet Carmelo Anthony who has donated millions to similar projects
It's a cause close to Carmelo's heart. Now an Olympic gold medal-winning athlete with a million-dollar fortune, he grew up in deprived areas of Brooklyn and then Baltimore. He has spent millions from his own pocket to give other young people opportunities out of poverty.
A childhood friend of his has described how sport provided a diversion from drug dealing and violence in the projects where they lived. "Anything you can name that goes on in the roughest parts of town, we've seen and witnessed hands on, " said Kenny Minor. "Those are the things that teach you toughness and keep you mentally focused on your goals."
