Just a few days after formally being indicted on charges connected to the fatal shooting that occurred last month at New York City’s Irving Plaza, rapper Troy Ave has unveiled a memorial athletic scholarship program named after his deceased friend Ronald “Banga” McPhatter. Still sitting behind bars, Troy Ave, real name Roland Collins, is scheduled to appear in court on June 22 and since the incident, not only has he maintained his innocence but he even released a Free Troy Ave mixtape.
Scott Leemon, Collins’ attorney shared that the scholarship was presented at New Utrecht High School, where Troy Ave and Banga both attended, to 2016 recipient Gianni Penso, who is a senior defensive end for the school and plans on playing college football at Pace University.
Each academic year, the scholarship program will award $2,000. Troy Ave’s mother, Tracey Collins, told DNA Info she was elated when her son told her his plan to set up the program.
“When my son suggested [the scholarship] from jail I thought it was brilliant. Edgar (McPhatter’s nickname) would love it, it’s such a good way to represent him.”
Respect: Complex
