Although LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently embroiled in the NBA’s on-going tensions with China, his story still inspires people all over the world and in ways that you might not expect.

Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan, senior at the University of Michigan and founder of clean water non-profit start-up Paani, was so inspired by the story and legend of LeBron James that he and his partner, Michigan junior Taha Syed, decided to name one of the wells they built to provide clean water in Pakistan after him.

“No matter how successful LeBron has gotten, he has always given back to his community,” Syed told LeBron Wire. “As students at the University of Michigan, we’re very fortunate to be in the positions we’re in. For us to get to where we are, our parents had to make a lot of sacrifices, including leaving their home country of Pakistan. A lot of people in Pakistan don’t have the opportunities we have. Like LeBron, we see it as our duty to help the communities that helped to elevate us. Everyday, LeBron reminds us of this through putting kids through UAkron, the I Promise School, his work with Walmart, and many other philanthropic activities, that it’s important to give back to where you came from.”

Khan believes that LeBron is a symbol for empowerment, making him an ideal person to name a well after.

“We chose to name the well after LeBron because he’s a symbol of empowerment – constantly enabling everyone around him to achieve more both on and off-the-court,” Khan told LeBron Wire. “He always puts his family and friends in positions to succeed that otherwise would be difficult. Most importantly, as a public figure, his willingness to leverage his platform for social issues and serve as a voice for oppressed communities is something you can’t replicate. LeBron constantly utilizes his position to create opportunity and awareness for people in adverse situations.”

According to Khan, Paani provides clean water for 10,000 people in both Pakistan and Flint, Michigan.

“LeBron’s role as the people’s champ and mission to empower others are elements I constantly strive to integrate into my leadership style,” Khan said. “Leveraging any and every opportunity I can to empower others and produce tangible realistic change.”