By Kathy Chouteau
Invictus Academy of Richmond senior Ricardo Magana received the surprise of his life Friday morning when his family, Principal Esther Prokopienko, teachers, classmates and reps from the Golden State Warriors greeted him with the news he was selected as a 2026 Bay Area All Star Scholarship Team (BAASST) winner.
The surprise was accompanied by a giant $5,000 check and a Warriors basketball jersey emblazoned with his surname on the back. At the front of the classroom, a video greeted him with Warriors Coach Steve Kerr and player Draymond Green wishing him congratulations and good luck in college. Later, he received a Warriors swag bag, while his classmates received rally towels.
The BAASST scholarship program is a collaboration between the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries, San Francisco Giants, Bay FC, San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose Sharks. It awards $5,000 scholarships annually to six successful students toward continuing their education.
The scholarship winners will be recognized by each of the six Bay Area sports teams at a home competition during the 2026 season, including the Warriors versus the Rockets game on April 5. Magana will be honored on court at the Warriors game with the other scholarship winners.
When asked how it made him feel to be surprised by a giant check as a scholarship winner, Magana said, “I’m just grateful for this opportunity that God has given me.”
Magana was nominated for the award by college counselor Jackelin Sandoval and supported by a recommendation from teacher Jeff Grossman. He told the Standard he plans to attend Sacramento State to study construction management, following in the footsteps of his father with the ultimate goal of becoming a senior project manager.
The high school senior is known as a dedicated student at Invictus, and outside of school, works with his father at his construction business.
