In the modern era of basketball, the story is all the same: an all-state basketball player arrives at a major program, grows dissatisfied with playing time, and transfers one or more times, chasing after short term goals at the expense of his education. John Thompson's long-held example of the deflated basketball is not just a warning, but an opportunity to reach beyond sports. The story of Omari Faulkner stands out as one that underscores the best of Georgetown.

An all-state forward at Memphis' Hamilton HS, Faulkner arrived at Georgetown where the 6-6 swingman was being pushed aside for taller, more mobile forwards. Slotted behind 6-7 Gerald Riley for much of his career, Faulkner played in just 29 minutes as a freshman, 95 minutes as a sophomore. Shots were hard to come by averaging so little time, but Faulkner kept his focus. In an era of unrest around Georgetown basketball, it might have been easier to wander off to Middle Tennessee or Austin Peay to finish his career, but Faulkner took the longer view. In four years, Faulkner saw action in just 46 games, averaging 0.6 points but making the Dean's List and a selection to the Big East All-Academic team.

Following Georgetown, Faulkner joined teammate Courtland Freeman as an envoy for the Department of State. After a year as a sales manager in Memphis, Faulkner ran for an open seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, but finished last in a field of four despite a gap of just 200 votes from Faulkner to the winning candidate. A better story was ahead.

A decade removed from college basketball, Faulkner is a father of four, an entrepreneur, a member of the Virginia Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism, a contributor to the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy, a Georgetown adjunct professor, and a member of the Naval Reserves, having been commissioned a second lieutenant in 2014. A member of the faculty of the School of Continuing Studies and an elected member of the Georgetown University Alumni Association Board of Governors, Faulkner did all this before the age of 35, and has more ahead of him.

His faculty profile reads, in part, "Mr. Faulkner has conducted sports and cultural diplomacy programs in over 45 countries and was a Cultural Envoy for the U.S. Department of State. In 2013 Omari Faulkner created, and developed, Georgetown's first Sport Culture and Diplomacy course. He is a highly sought-after foreign affairs, sport culture, and diplomatic consultant, lending his ingeniousness to international development organizations and higher educational institutions. He works alongside these entities to develop and execute diplomacy programs that enhance their brands internationally, through targeted messaging, print and social media. He is the co-founder of O Street International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to being a catalyst for transforming international engagement ideas into high-impact solutions that energize cultural exchange."

In 2016, Faulkner received the William G. Reynolds Award for Young Alumni Service from the Alumni Association. His words from that event are excerpted below.

"The moment I first stepped foot onto Georgetown's campus, I knew that my life would forever be impacted. What I did not know as an incoming freshman on the Hilltop was that over the course of the next four years, I would be challenged by the tradition that remains a core principle of Georgetown's mission and identity, men and women in the service of others.

Service is a major driver in my life. I credit this foundation to my family's ability to highlight the significance of the progress made by previous generations; progress gained through service and volunteerism. Today, our society is free and prosperous because brave women and men have served, and continue to serve, a cause greater than themselves. That cause is investing in future generations.

I also thank all Hoyas - past, present, and future. You inspire me to work as hard as I can to contribute toward current and future generations, and to be the son of Georgetown that you have built me to be."