The program, launched in 2003, was designed to reach today's high school youth by using the popularity of hip-hop and poetry as a vehicle to motivate and inspire expression through the written and spoken word.

An initiative that started with 20 kids in Harlem just a few short years ago has now exploded into a citywide event that reaches over 20,000 teens in the New York area.

Tuesday night's program was a culmination of a four-month long search for the best and brightest young poets the city has to offer, and the 15 teens didn't disappoint.

In the end, Zora Howard, a freshman from LaGuardia High School, was awarded first place, taking home $10,000 in an educational scholarship to a school of her choosing.

The young poets made a big impression on the Knicks players who watched them perform.

"Malik's been bragging about it for years, so I was excited to come down here and check it out," said Robinson. "Messages coming from the heart and young kids speaking their mind, that's a beautiful thing."

Rose agreed that the unique event was a privilege to attend.

"These kids' messages are different," said Rose. "That's what's special. It is their own voice and their own message. It is both entertaining and enlightening. The creativity of these kids is just amazing."

Crawford said he was happy to share in a moment that the youngsters would remember for years to come.

"I'm excited to be here for these kids," said Crawford. "They are all talented and what they do is different from what everyone else is doing. It's very special to say what is important in life and discussing what is important to yourself."

Karin Buchholz, Vice President of Community Relations & Fan Development for the Knicks, kicked off the event, and set the tone of the emotional evening.

"You can't leave here without being awed by these young poets," she said. "They are pouring out their souls."

Queen GoDis emceed the evening and was equally as moving as the poets.

"It is a great day in the world today," she said, echoing the sentiments of those in the audience.

One by one, the poets came out to "spit" their three-minute poems on a wide variety of issues such as race, politics, gender and much more.

"I want to teach a lesson of what it is black people do to themselves," said 17-year old Basheer Shareef. "We are quick to blame others, but we need to look inwards to see what we do to ourselves."

While Basheer dished out an impressive poem, he didn't place in the top five, which speaks volumes for the rich talent level of these years crop of finalists.

The top finishers included Alexis Marie Wint of Stuyvesant High School, Marne Bruckner from the Beacon School, Justin Allen from Morgan State University and Chris Morales of Hofstra University. Each student received scholarships of various amounts as well as a laptop and printer.

At the end of the evening, everyone had a winning feeling just to have watched the inspired young poets show off their unique skills for a captivated audience.