Rebound 2017 All-Star Game by Matt Fish

THE OFFICIAL MAGA ZINE OF THE NATIONAL BA SK E TBALL RE TIRED PL AY ERS A SSOCIATION

NBR PA FOUNDERS NBRPA News Full Court Press Center Court

Legends of Basketball

BY A PL AY ER , A BOUT THE PL AY ERS, F OR THE PL AY ERS A ND FA NS

5-TIME COLORED BASKETBALL WORLD’S CHAMPION ● 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN VARSITY BASKETBALL PLAYER AT PENN STATE AND AT DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY ● INNOVATOR OF THE LONG RANGE SHOT ● TEAMS: MONTICELLO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, DELANY RIFLES, LOENDI BIG FIVE, MONARCH ELKS, HOMESTEAD GRAYS FIVE

CONTENT NBRPA

Rebound Magazine

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PUBLISHER/CEO

Matthew Fish mattfish@reboundmagazine.com CONSULTANT

Matthew Fish FishStix@hotmail.com WRITERS

25TH ANNIVERSARY 2

FROM the PUBLISHER

NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

PG. 38

NBRPA CHAPTERS 24

LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

FULL COURT PRESS:

5 NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND 6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NBA ALL STAR 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHTS 0 ARCHIE CLARK 1 11 OSCAR ROBERTSON 12 DAVE BING 13 DAVE DEBUSSCHERE 14 DAVE COWENS 15 NBRPA 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

8 DAN DICKAU 2 30 NBRPA AND PARTNERS HOST FULL COURT PRESS EVENTS 33 EX-NBA PLAYER PAT BURKE TEACHING SKILLS

LEGENDS of BASKETBALL 34 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2016 38 NBRPA CHAPTERS COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY 42 BRIAN GRANT 44 SECOND GENERATION PLAYERS

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FROM the PUBLISHER

FISH TALK

CELEBRATING PLAYERS AND COACHES WHO ADVANCE BASKETBALL

he New Year is here and so is the 2017 NBA All-Star party held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from February 17-19. The NBA and NBRPA together have prepared a variety of fun events that both give back to the community as well as the fans that love the game of basketball. Are you ready for a challenge? Former professional basketball players are needed to assist the NBRPA in lifting our association to a much higher level. Already a great organization, the NBRPA has room for improvement and it needs your help. The staff works tirelessly to create, support and promote vital programs to assist members smoothly transition to life after playing. Members and potential members need to take on a more active role if the NBRPA is to accomplish this goal. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Why do many members feel that it is up to others to create all of our opportunities? We need to take a long look at what can be done to elevate our group. It is great to learn about former professional athletes that have experienced great successes and made it even bigger since playing-we all want to know how they did it so we can as well. This is great for them, but why don’t we hear about how these successes were carried over to help other former players

THE NBRPA LOGO THROUGH THE YEARS

ORIGINAL

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Matt Fish Publisher, Rebound mattfish@reboundmagazine.com

LOGO WITH DROP SHADOW

find the same? Why not help others achieve success too? Why not mentor other pro athletes whom are searching for success also? We all needed mentors during our journey, so why does that stop when the ability to play the game professionally has ended? Simply put, it shouldn’t. We need mentors throughout our lives, so let’s mentor each other. All too often members have high expectations of our association and then complain when they feel that it somehow doesn’t meet their expectations. As former professional athletes, we are in control of our own value, and in many circumstances we can help each other. If it wasn’t for us, there would be no NBRPA, so I challenge our membership to get more involved with helping one another. If not us, who?

REVISED

LOGO WITHOUT DROP SHADOW

CURRENT

GREETINGS

FROM THE NBRPA PRESIDENT & CEO

NBRPA MEMBERS, PARTNERS, SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS: WELCOME TO THE BIG EASY!

am very happy to welcome the NBRPA family to my former adopted hometown of New Orleans for All-Star Weekend 2017. The City of New Orleans has experienced tremendous revitalization since Hurricane Katrina more than a decade ago and the citizenry is again excited about welcoming the basketball world back to the Crescent City. Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! As exemplified by the members that came here with us, the NBRPA has grown to a record-high 880+ members, a doubling of our membership from only five years ago. This organization is a leading member of the basketball community and our cornerstone partner – the National Basketball Association (NBA) – is behind us as we expand our programs and offerings. Our Board of Directors are committed, our Chapter Presidents are leaders that bring NBRPA programs to local communities, and our Members are the lifeblood of this 25year old organization. Our Legends enhance communities and promote the sport through free youth clinics, charitable outreach and other grassroots events in the United States and abroad. NBRPA Members have recently led service tours in Haiti, as well as in dozens of American communities through our nationally-acclaimed Full Court Press program. We are excited to have you with us this weekend for a full schedule of philanthropy, fraternization and fun. With your support we can continue to grow the NBRPA and reach new levels of success – both in serving membership and serving communities. Throughout the weekend, the NBRPA’s 25th Anniversary will be commemorated with a variety of special events and festivities. These events will celebrate the historical achievements our organization has accomplished in the past 25 years while also looking into the future. An exciting Legends of Basketball Welcome Reception at the Harrah’s Casino will officially open the Legends All-Star Weekend on February 17. The NBRPA’s signature All-Star Weekend event, the 18th Annual Legends Brunch, will take place on AllStar Sunday, February 19, at the New Orleans Convention Center and will be televised on NBA TV. The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, and the 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans. Every All-Star Weekend is significant, but I am personally grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the NBRPA’s basketball legacy with all of you in New Orleans. Yours in basketball, Arnie Fielkow President & CEO National Basketball Retired Players Assoc.

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NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

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2017 NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

elcome to the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend! In New Orleans, Louisiana on February 17-19. "I look forward to welcoming the NBRPA family to my

former adopted hometown of New Orleans for All-Star Weekend 2017", said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. "The City of New Orleans has experienced tremendous revitalization since Hurricane Katrina more than a decade ago and the citizenry is again excited about welcoming the basketball world back to the Crescent City. The NBRPA has a number of enjoyable and fun events planned for our Members and we hope you will join us February 17-19. Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!" This year, there was a late NBA AllStar City Relocation. Allowing the opportunity to parley All-Star weekend into Mardi Gras! And why not combine two wonderful events simultaneously showcasing the best players in the world and what New Orleans is best known for … Mardi Gras! The official NBA Hotel for NBRPA members is the Double Tree by Hilton, located at 300 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. The Double Tree by Hilton has recently been remodeled and is conveniently located near all of the New Orleans’ attractions, in particular, the city’s top restaurants, entertainment centers, famous landmarks, and shops and services. Throughout the weekend, the NBRPA’s 25th Anniversary will be commemorated with a variety of special events and festivities. These events will celebrate the historical achievements

our organization has accomplished in the past 25 years while also looking into the future. An exclusive Legends of Basketball Welcome Reception at the Harrah’s Casino will officially open the Legends All-Star Weekend on February 17. The NBRPA’s signature All-Star Weekend event, the 18th Annual Legends Brunch, will take place on All-Star Sunday, February 19, at the New Orleans Convention Center and will be televised on NBA TV. Check the calendar of events found on page 12. The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans. As part of NBA All-Star 2017, the NBA, NBRPA and its partners will host a variety of community, grassroots and fan events throughout the weekend.

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NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

CALENDAR OF EVENTS THURSDAY, FEB. 16 TIME EVENT

LOCATION

5:00pm - 8:00pm

All-Star Games & Brunch Ticket Pickup

Board of Directors (2nd Floor)

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Tribute to International Basketball with Tal Brody

Jewish Community Center

FRIDAY, FEB. 17 TIME EVENT

11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION

Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration

Crescent Ballroom (16th Floor)

All-Star Games & Brunch Ticket Pickup

Crescent Ballroom (16th Floor)

12:00pm - 4:00pm NBA Day of Service (Hands-On Service) (Need to be pre-registered)* +

TBD

2:00pm - 5:00pm

EarQ Hearing Testing

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Legends Welcome Reception Harrah's Casino New Orleans (Theatre) Presented by Wintrust (Must be 21 or older. All guests must bring ID)

4:00pm - 5:00pm

7:30pm - 8:30pm

8:00pm - 11:00pm 9:00pm - 11:00pm

Health Hour with Dr. Corey Hebert & Dr. Gregory Stewart

International Ballroom (16th Floor)

Madewood B (2nd Floor)

Dream Maker Viewing

Harrah's Casino New Orleans (Theatre)

NBA Welcome Party (Invitation Only)*

TBD

Rising Stars Challenge* +

Smoothie King Center

SATURDAY, FEB. 18 TIME EVENT

8:45am - 11:00am 11:00am - 3:00pm 11:00am - 3:00pm 11:30am - 2:30pm

12:00pm - 2:30pm 2:00pm - 5:00pm

3:00pm - 5:00pm 3:00pm - 5:00pm 5:00pm - 7:00pm

LOCATION

NBRPA Legends Breakfast with Athletes In Action* G rand Ballroom (12th Floor - Westin Hotel) (Programming starts at 9:15am) Legends All-Star Lounge / NBRPA Registration

Crescent Ballroom (16th Floor)

All-Star Games & Brunch Ticket Pickup

Crescent Ballroom (16th Floor)

New 2017 NBRPA Board of Directors Meeting

Katie's Restaurant

One-on-One with Glenn Sugiyama

Board of Directors (2nd Floor)

EarQ Hearing Testing

Legends Day at the Race Track at NOLA Motorsports Park (Must be pre-registered) +

International Ballroom (16th Floor) 11075 Nicolle Blvd, Avondale, LA

Lady Bleu Devils vs. Xavier Gold Nuggets *

Dent Hall Gymnasium (Dillard)

Bleu Devils vs. Xavier Gold Rush Basketball Game *

8:30pm - 11:00pm

All-Star Slam Dunk/3-Point Saturday Night*+

9:00pm - midnight

Legends Party Presented by TBD *+

Dent Hall Gymnasium (Dillard)

Smoothie King Center

B.B. King's Blues Club (1104 Decatur St.)

SUNDAY, FEB. 19 TIME EVENT

8:30am -9:30am

NBA All-Star Chapel

8:30pm - 11:00pm

66th NBA All-Star Game*+

10:00am - 1:00pm

NBA All-Star Brunch

TIMES & LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ALL EVENTS

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LOCATION

TBD

Convention Center

Smoothie King Center

(*) Ticket Required to attend | (+) Transportation provided | Unless specifically noted, members are responsible for their own New Orleans area transportation for events outside of the Smoothie King Center.

SPONSORS

NBA ALL-STAR 25th ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHTS

ARCHIE CLARK

iscovered on an Air Force base in Maryland, Archie Clark was a standout on the University of Minnesota’s basketball and baseball teams in the 1960s. He ranks among many Golden Gophers in the basketball history books and was part of Dick Seibert’s storied National Championship baseball team. He was also one of the first African-Americans to be named captain at the school in any sport. Born in Arkansas, Clark was the fourth child in a family of 12. His passion for sports began on the baseball field in 1946 when he was five years old. He even made the junior high school swimming team and did not start playing basketball until he reached the 10th grade. Following high school, he looked for work in the steel mills, but due to the recession, joined the Army where he remained for three years. Lucky for the University of Minnesota, Clark may have missed his major league opportunity in baseball when the Detroit Tigers invited him to spring training

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10 days after he joined the Army. Attached to an Air Force missile unit in Maryland, he participated on the Andrews Air Force Base intramural basketball team. His coach, Buzz Bennett, a former Minnesota basketball player, was captured by Clark’s talents and gave the Minnesota assistant a call. At 21 years old, Clark accepted a scholarship to Minnesota and now sits 19th on the school history list with 1,199 total points. He is listed among other Gophers for record-breaking career performances, including a scoring average of 16.3 points to place him 10th all-time for career scoring average and is also ninth for free-throws made with 291. He was named team MVP in 1966. Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1966 NBA Draft, Clark enjoyed a 10-year NBA career, including stops with the Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Baltimore Bullets, Seattle Supersonics and Detroit Pistons. Following his playing days, he got involved with a number of endeavors including Detroit politics, real estate, and became president of a Detroit parking firm in addition to becoming a joint partner of APCOA, one of the nation’s largest private parking operators. However, there was one more endeavor Clark would endure, and after retiring in 1976 he went to Lawrence “Larry” Fleisher (then-Executive Director of the NBA Players Association) to inquire whether retired players could remain part of the union. Unfortunately, Fleisher said that the bylaws would not allow it, so an alternative plan would have to be hatched. Clark was committed to making his dream become a reality, and so he began to get other star players involved in different ways. Clark also became involved with a political group in Detroit and began to see the impact of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) retirees at the Democratic National Convention, which continued his belief that he and others could help retired basketball players with some of the issues that they were having, and specifically the Pre-1965 players who only had the minimal pension. Clark attributes Dave Bing for helping tremendously with organizing the movement to establish what would become the NBRPA. Clark is one of five founders of the NBRPA and an active member of the Detroit-area NAACP. He is also the proud father of eight children and six grandchildren.

titles – the first for an African-American or an Indianapolis school, as well as a national championship, the first by an African-American school in any sport. As a senior, he was Indiana’s “Mr. Basketball” and the National High School Player of the Year. At the University of Cincinnati, "The Big O" earned a business degree in four years and led the Bearcats to the 1959 and 1960 Final Fours. A three-time first team All-American, he was the NCAA’s first three-time scoring leader and the first to win College Player of the Year honors three times. Following graduation, he co-captained the Pete Newell-coached 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team. He is listed among the NCAA’s all-time leading student athletes, and in 2007, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Cincinnati as well as its William Howard Taft Medal, the highest honor it bestows on an alumnus. During his 14-year Hall of Fame NBA career – 10 with Cincinnati and four with Milwaukee – he led his teams to 10 playoff appearances. He was Rookie of the Year in 1961, MVP in 1964, a 12-time All-Star and MVP in three All-Star games. In 1961-62, he averaged the first and only “triple double” for an entire season (30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 11.4 assists per game). In 1997, "The Big O" performed the assist of a lifetime when he donated a kidney to his daughter Tia. Since then, he has served as an advocate for health and wellness, organ transplantation and kidney disease prevention on behalf of the National Kidney Foundation. One of the nation’s leading small business owners, Robertson is the CEO of companies in the areas of specialty chemicals, document management, processed foods and media. Starting in 2000, Robertson served as a director for Countrywide Financial Corporation, until the company's sale to Bank of America in 2008. He holds a Lifetime Achievement Award for entrepreneurship from the University of Cincinnati. The Oscar and Yvonne Robertson Scholarship Fund which assists deserving minority students, is also held at the University of Cincinnati. After his retirement, Robertson worked to improve the living conditions of African-Americans in his hometown of Indianapolis by helping to build affordable housing. Robertson is the author of autobiography, “The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game,” and “The Art of Basketball.”

OSCAR ROBERTSON: “THE BIG O”

scar Robertson, also known as "The Big O," is considered the greatest all-around player in the history of basketball. As a players’ advocate, he has left his mark on professional sports in the courtroom as well as on the court. A consummate leader, he also has distinguished himself as a social activist, a mentor and teacher, a business owner and a philanthropist. On the court, the 6-foot-5 Robertson set new standards of excellence at every level. The first big point guard who could score from anywhere, rebound, pass and play defense; he created a template for later stars. In 1998, the U.S. Basketball Writers renamed their Player of the Year award "The Oscar Robertson Trophy." In 2000, he was named “Player of the Century” by the NABC. As president of the NBA Players Association from 1965-74, he made an even bigger impact on basketball with a class action anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA. A 1976 settlement, known as the "Oscar Robertson Rule," helped NBA players become the first major professional athletes to achieve free agency. In 1992, Robertson co-founded the NBRPA and served as its first president until 1998. Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee and raised in Indianapolis, where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class at Crispus Attucks High School. He led the Attucks to two consecutive state

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NBA ALL-STAR 25th ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHTS

DAVE BING

t is very rare in life to find someone that is highly accomplished in three completely different professions in life. However, Dave Bing is one of those rare finds as he embodies a Hall of Fame basketball player, successful business owner, and elected politician having served as Mayor of Detroit from 2008-2013. Bing’s fame and success though did not come without its challenges. At age five, Bing lost much of his vision in his left eye when playing an improvised game of “horsey.” Bing did not only have to overcome his injury, but he also was undersized when he was younger. It was rare that the older kids let him play, and in fact encouraged him to stay off the courts. As a result, Bing focused on baseball, but was encouraged by Coach William Roundtree to give basketball a try again. Bing’s basketball success in high school attracted top basketball programs such as UCLA and the University of Michigan, but Bing chose to attend his hometown school, Syracuse University. Bing says he chose Syracuse because he wanted to play near home, and because he doubted his basketball skills and thought he would standout more at a lower tier program. Bing certainly stood out, as he led the Orangemen in scoring his sophomore year with 22.2 points, then his Junior year with 23.2 points, and then again his senior year with 28.4 points; which was also the fifth highest scoring average in the nation and earned him a spot on the All-American team. After finishing his collegiate playing career, Bing would be drafted second overall in the 1966 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. In Bing’s first season playing point guard for the Pistons, he averaged 20.0 points, was selected to the All-NBA Rookie Team, and was awarded with the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Bing’s career would not slow down averaging a league leading 27.1 points the following year, earning himself a scoring title, and being named to the All-NBA First

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Team. In total, Bing would make 7 AllStar games, would be named to the AllNBA team twice (68’,71’), and would win the All-Star Game MVP Award in 1976. Throughout his career Bing averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 assist, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Bing would later be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and would also be selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Bing’s success continued off the court after his playing career as well. Shortly after retiring, Bing began working for Paragon Steel doing their shipping, in addition to some of their sales operations. Bing worked there for two years before opening up his own company called Bing Steel. In their first year Bing Steel struggled mightily, but soon thereafter they struck a deal with General Motors and the company began to see success. In fact, the company began to see so much success, that in 1984 Dave Bing would be awarded the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year by none other than President Ronald Reagan. Bill Simmons in his book of basketball said, “Bing took care of himself, dealt wonderfully with the media, did a ton of charity work, became one of the country’s leading black businessmen, founded the NBRPA, and was named Detroit’s Humanitarian of the Year in 1985.” Bing did so much for others during and after his playing career that he truly embodies that of a model citizen. The NBA believed so as well, awarding Bing the Schick Achievement Award in 1990 for his work in the community after his playing career. One of Bing’s largest contributions was the National Basketball Retired Players Organization. Bing said he got heavily involved because Earl Lloyd (the 1st AfricanAmerican player in NBA history) worked for him as the Community Relations Director for the Bing Group. Earl had complained to Bing many times about the lack of involvement by many of the “Pre-1965 players,” as the NBA had not created its pension plan until 1965. In response, Bing contacted Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes, whom he was connected with through Syracuse, and the two of them began to contact approximately 170 other players who were not receiving any benefits. Bing answered yet another call, deciding to run for Mayor of Detroit in 2008 to help rebuild a city that he loved and had been a part of for more than 40 years. He proved that the basics of good performance, integrity and business, can be applied to any area or industry, bringing a renewed sense of trust and hope to the City of Detroit. Poised to make the tough decisions, he began to lay the groundwork for solid city government by instituting the toughest ethics ordinance in the city’s history.

DAVE DEBUSSCHERE

n NBA Hall-of-Famer and one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time, Dave DeBusschere was known for aggressive defensive play that earned him NBA All-Defensive Team honors six times during his 12-year playing career. For his career, DeBusschere averaged 16.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, won two NBA Championships as a member of the New York Knicks and was named to eight NBA All-Star teams. He is memorialized by the NBRPA through the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund. DeBusschere, also known as “Big D,” shared a love for both basketball and baseball at a young age. A Detroit native, he was a two-sport star at Austin Catholic High School. He led his high school basketball team to a state championship and also won a city and junior national championship as a standout baseball pitcher. When it came time for college, DeBusschere had his pick of schools, but he turned down the big names to stay home and attend the University of Detroit. During his four years in college, DeBusschere averaged 24.8 points per game, led his team to the NCAA Tournament once and the NIT twice. After a successful college career, DeBusschere was faced with a tough decision to choose between his two passions: baseball or basketball. A precursor to two-sport stars like Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders, DeBusschere tried his hand at both. He played professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox for four seasons, then turned his focus to the hardwood with the Detroit Pistons selecting DeBusschere in the 1962 NBA Draft. Earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team his first year, he averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Two years later, he was given the position of player-coach, a first in NBA history. The coaching job was short-lived, as the 1968-1969 NBA season saw him being traded to the New York Knicks, where DeBusschere would go on to reach legendary status. DeBusschere brought his tenacity and hard-nosed defense to a Knicks team that won the NBA Championship in both 1970 and 1973. To this day, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most talented power forwards the league has ever seen. After retiring from basketball in 1974, DeBusschere remained very involved in the game. During the 1980s, he was the commissioner of the ABA, as well as the assistant coach and director of basketball operations for the Knicks. He added to his legend when the Knicks won the NBA’s first draft lottery and DeBusschere selected Patrick Ewing No. 1 overall. He would also go on to author "The Open Man," which chronicled the

New York Knicks 1969-1970 Championship Season. On May 14, 2003, DeBusschere passed away in New York at the age of 62. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest NBA players of All-Time. The NBRPA established a scholarship fund in 1992 and renamed the fund to honor DeBusschere after his death. A flagship program for the NBRPA’s Legends Care philanthropic arm, the Dave DeBusschere NBRPA Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing opportunities for higher learning. This program awards college scholarship dollars to former professional basketball players and their children to help meet the rising costs of higher education. Through the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund, the NBRPA has donated more than $1 million in scholarship money to former players and their children.

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NBA ALL-STAR 25th ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHTS

NBRPA FOUNDER

DAVE COWENS

all of Famer Dave Cowens has learned what he has accomplished in his post basketball career is more important than what he was able to do on the hardwood. Cowens was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. He was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history. He was a seven time All-Star, he lead the Celtics to two NBA championships (1974 and 1976) and was the MVP in 1973, despite being considered too small to play the center position at only 6’9”. The 68-year old Cowens played a high intensity, high energy game with a lot of passion. He now takes those same attributes in doing what he can to help the community and former players. At Newport Catholic High School in Newport, Kentucky Cowens was learning the game, honing his talent and developing the hustling, bruising style of play that would be his trademark throughout his career. “I was going out there to be like Dennis the Menace on the basketball court. I was involved in everything,” Cowens said. “Covering the court, chasing balls out of bounds, running guys down, I was doing that because that was the fun part. Some people call it hustle. I called it just having fun.” After high school the then 6’6” 190 pound, red head played collegiately at Florida State University. He again shined at the pivot spot despite being undersized. He is still the all-time leading FSU rebounder with 1,340 rebounds (17.2) per game. He holds the team record for the best seasonal average with an amazing 17.5 rebounds per game and once grabbed 31 boards in a contest. He is also ranked in the top 10 in scoring for the Seminoles with 1,479 points, an average of 19.0 points in 78 contests. During his college days Cowens would lift weights during the offseason. A practice that was unique

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at the time. He grew to about 6’9” and put on 45 pounds reaching 245. Still considered small for the center spot, but the Boston Celtics felt that he would be perfect for their run and gun, up-tempo style and took him fourth overall in the 1979 NBA Draft. “They (Celtics) needed a center because (Bill) Russell had retired and the year after he retired and the year before I got there they had a three-headed center. They used Jim Barnes, Rich Johnson and Hank Finkel,” Cowens said. “They needed somebody and Tommy Heinson just took over as coach and they wanted to run and keep the whole Celtic tradition of fast-break basketball and I fit right into that.” Being selected fourth in the draft that year was also quite an honor. Bob Lanier was the first overall pick then Rudy Tomjanovich and ‘Pistol’ Peat Maravich was chosen third. “I think it was one of the better all-time drafts,” Cowens said. “They talk now about four of five guys from a draft making the Hall of Fame being a good one. We had six. Dan Issel, Lanier, Maravich and two guys who were taken in the second round, Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald and Calvin Murphy, they are in the Hall of Fame.” Cowens’ style of basketball, his talents and his skills were exactly what the Celtics needed. Cowens was voted the Co-Rookie of the year by the writers and the Rookie of the Year by his peers winning the Sporting News Rookie of the Year award. Cowens lead the team to two world championships, including beating the Phoenix Suns. That series included what many feel is the greatest game ever played in the NBA, a triple-overtime game in game 5 of the series, which the Celtics finally won 128-126. Cowens logged 55 minutes and scored 26 points before fouling out in the third overtime. The best season during his tenure with the team might have been 1972-73 campaign when they established a franchise record of 68-14 and the, “too small center,” was named the MVP. Cowens left basketball in 1980 and stayed out of the game for two years. He made a comeback in 1982-83 season playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and his old teammate Don Nelson but played in only 40 games. Following that season he hung up his sneakers for good. “I just got tired of basketball. I couldn’t get my mojo working for a while. It was time for me,” Cowens admitted. “I could have gotten hurt or something so I just had to get out of there.” Because of his all-out style of play, what he and the Celtics accomplished during his 10-year career in Boston, Cowens is still one of the most admired and respected players ever to wear the green and white. With that popularity he is able to use it in opening doors and giving back to the community. He was inducted in the New England Sports Museum, one of the top sports museums in the country.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 25TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is proud to announce the commemoration of its 25th Year Anniversary Celebration. Founded in 1992 by NBA Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson, the NBRPA is the only alumni association of its kind supported directly by the NBA and the NBPA. The NBRPA is also the only alumni association comprised of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA. Originally founded to help early league players get full pension and other benefit programs, the organization now provides a full array of programs and benefits that transition players from the court to private life, and connect former players to community service projects and member chapters that mentor young players and students. “We have achieved this milestone through hard work and dedication of our founders, officers, members, staff, and partners that exists throughout the entire organization,” said NBRPA President and

CEO Arnie Fielkow. “Throughout the next year, we will be taking a look at where we started, what we have achieved, and what our plans are for the future. We cannot wait to share in all of our activities and celebrations with our NBRPA family.” The NBRPA’s 25th Anniversary will be commemorated with a variety of special events and features on 25 different milestones, beginning with a rare walk down memory lane with the four living founders sharing their stories with NBRPA writer Jon Teitel, and Rebound Magazine celebrating the contributions, achievements, and legacy of the outstanding organization they began. In addition, the year-long celebration will share the NBRPA’s historical achievements, from the signing of the first General Licensing Agreement to the acquisition of a pension plan that now includes any NBA player with at least three years of service. The NBRPA will also highlight the inclusion of ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players into the retirement association. Furthermore, the NBRPA will feature the numerous contributions their members have made in the community from Full Court Press: Prep for Success and Days of Caring events, to the building of basketball courts in numerous locations around the globe and everything in-between. The NBRPA will also be featuring some of their signature events from their Legends World Conference to their NBA All-Star Events. Regular promotions for the anniversary will be found at legendsofbasketball.com. “What started off as with powerful plan from the ideas of our five founding members and it has now grown into one of the most successful and influential sports alumni associations in the world,” said NBRPA Board Chairman Thurl Bailey. “With nearly 900 members and a five-year licensing agreement with the NBA, the NBRPA’s future has never been brighter as we begin to commemorate our 25-year milestone.”

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NBRPA NEWS

BE AWARE OF OSA. TAKE THE TEST TODAY!

AMERICAN SLEEP AND BREATHING ACADEMY’S MISSION TO ELIMINATE SLEEP APNEA, ALSO KNOWN AS THE “SILENT KILLER” BY ALAN HICKEY, CFO OF THE AMERICAN SLEEP AND BREATHING ACADEMY

ave you been told you snore, wake up during the night, or actually stop breathing during your sleep? Do you have morning headaches, wake up and continuously feel tired or feel the need to take an afternoon nap due to daytime sleepiness? Has your sex drive gone down? If any of these seem normal to you, they are not. These are all symptoms of a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your upper airway becomes partly or completely blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing without knowing or waking up. This usually happens when the lower jaw falls back, causing the muscles to relax and come together. OSA is one of the most undiagnosed disorders in the world, largely because it cannot be identified during routine visits with the doctor through tests that they offer with their labs. The American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) works with retired NBA and NFL players nationwide to improve players’ post-career health and bring awareness of OSA to their communities. Like NFL superstar Roy Green, and David Gergen, the Academy’s Executive Director, NBA legend Charles Barkley wanted to lend aide in the mission to wake America up to the dilemma that affects our country’s citizens in a myriad of ways by agreeing to appear on the cover of the ASBA’s official magazine. If you’re questioning whether or not to get tested, do not delay any longer. Being tested is the first step in the right direction towards being healthy and improving your quality of sleep AND quality of life. With recent technological advances, sleep studies are available to you in the comfort of your own home. With the utilization of oral appliances as an alternative treatment option patients can benefit from a travel friendly, less invasive, more comfortable, and lower cost remedy to a sleeping disorder also known as the “Silent Killer." Why is it important to take the time to

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From left: David Gergen, CEO ASBA with NFL greats Eric Dickerson, Roy Green and Marcus Allen.

get treated? Sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heartbeats and decreased productivity at work, to name a few. You may be one of the millions of Americans who do not get the most out of their sleep, and have negative results. Luckily, there are multiple avenues of treatment and guidelines in place to ensure patients are taken care of, including oral appliance and CPAP therapy. “This evidence-based guideline reinforces the fact that effective treatment options are available for obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that afflicts at least 25 million adults in the U.S.,” said AASM President Dr. Nathaniel Watson. The most preferred treatment by patients based off of compliance is the oral appliance. While there are one hundred plus different oral appliances, the sleep herbst is considered the “work horse” of the industry. It works by holding the lower jaw in a forward position, preventing it from falling back and collapsing the airway and maintaining proper vertical. ASBA doctors are specially trained to find what they call “the sweet spot” in jaw positioning to give you the optimum airway for breathing. Within two weeks of being treated patients often notice their morning headaches have been eliminated, they didn’t wake up fatigued, and they are not tired throughout the day. If you think you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, visit americansleepandbreathingacademy. com, call 602-478-9713 or email info@myasba.com so you can be directed to the most qualified sleep medicine expert nearest to you.

CURRENT NBA PLAYERS BREAK NEW GROUND BY CHOOSING TO FUND HEALTH INSURANCE FOR RETIRED NBA PLAYERS

he National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that its player representatives have voted unanimously to fund health insurance for all retired NBA players with at least three years of service in the league. This program is the first of its kind among North American professional sports. It also exemplifies the NBPA’s focus on the health and welfare of its current, retired and future members. “The game has never before been more popular, and all the players in our league today recognize that we’re only in this position because of the hard work and dedication of the men who came before us,” said Chris Paul, NBPA President and nine-time AllStar. “It’s important that we take care of our entire extended NBA family, and I’m proud of my fellow players for taking this unprecedented step to ensure the health and well-being of our predecessors.” The unanimous vote—which took place during the NBPA Summer Meeting in New York on June 26—established a multi-faceted health insurance program through UnitedHealthcare, the country’s leading health benefits provider. The current proposal includes:

• Retired players with between three and six years of NBA service time but who are not yet eligible for Medicare would be offered a plan that includes medical, hospital and prescription drug coverage with modest out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-pays; • Those with between seven and nine years of service would be offered the same coverage with even lower out-of-pocket costs; • Retired players with at least 10 years of service would be offered the same coverage as the seven-to-nine-year players, and would include coverage for their entire family; • Retired players with three to nine years of service who are eligible for Medicare would be offered a $0 deductible and $0 co-pay plan along with a low-cost prescription drug plan; those with 10+ years of service to receive this coverage for themselves and their spouse. • The open enrollment period for retired players would begin this fall, with coverage beginning on January 1, 2017. The average NBA player’s career in the league lasts just over four years, emphasizing the need for long-term planning for all aspects of life, including health. Since becoming Executive Director of the NBPA nearly two years ago, Michele Roberts and her new executive team have instituted a cardiac screening program for retired players and other initiatives designed to prepare current players for life after basketball and provide opportunities for retired players. “I couldn’t be more proud of Chris, our Executive Committee and our entire membership,” said Roberts. “Providing health care security for players who came before them has been on the players’ minds for the past year and they worked closely with us to make it happen. We’re also thrilled to partner with UnitedHealthcare on this initiative. We had many choices, but none matched UnitedHealthcare’s flexibility, experience, clinical expertise, and robust tools and technologies.” The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA mission is to ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected and that every conceivable measure is taken to assist them in maximizing their opportunities and achieving their goals, both on and off the court.

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NBRPA NEWS

HIGHER EDUCATION IS PRICELESS:

$180,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP GIVEN TO MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES!

he Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund awarded 37 scholarships of almost $3,500 apiece for higher education. Members and their spouses, children and grandchildren took advantage of the cornerstone program. Throughout the years, over $1.5 million in higher education funds have been dispersed to members, their families and educational grants into our communities. In addition, another ten scholarships were awarded by the NBA Players Legacy Fund that pledged an annual, restricted gift of $50,000 to the NBRPA to provide more support to low income recipients of the Dave Debusschere Scholarship. “This was one of our most impressive scholarship classes and we are excited to provide educational opportunities to our members and their families,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all of the 2016 scholarship recipients on behalf of the NBRPA

Board of Directors,” said NBRPA Director Mike Glenn, who serves as Chair for the NBRPA Member Services & Benefits Committee. “We wish all of our scholarship students the best of luck this fall and commend them for their hard work.”

WALI JONES

REBOUND CONGRATULATES NBA GREAT WALI JONES FOR BEING VOTED THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION LEGEND OF THE YEAR!

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NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH ATHLIFE

he (NBRPA), announced plans to partner with AthLife®, an organization aimed to service the education, career development, and life skill needs of athletes. Through the partnership, AthLife will work with the NBRPA in developing necessary career development skills, along with oneon-one consulting on educational planning. With the support of an AthLife Advisor, Lifeletes™ are empowered to build their skills in the areas of career exploration, goal setting, resume building, networking and interviewing. "Our partnership with AthLife provides a truly impactful resource to our members who are seeking assistance with

continuing education and career development opportunities,” said Arnie Fielkow, President and CEO of NBRPA. “Former NBA players have so much to offer the workforce and their communities,” said Jon Harris, President and Founder of AthLife. “When their playing career comes to an end, some need guidance as to how they can shift their focus and leverage skills from being the best in the world at one profession to building towards a successful career in another. AthLife Advisors work with Lifeletes to first identify, then build and promote fundamental skills and knowledge in areas where they have a passion so they can take on new career challenges.”

ABOUT ATHLIFE®: AthLife was formed in 2004 to service the education, career development, and life skill needs of athletes. AthLife’s approach is to guide the client through a process that builds skills and confidence, thus enabling them to assume control over their ongoing career development.

NBA PLAYERS GET THEIR HEARTS SCREENED

he National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) recognized that former NBA players had issues with their hearts and decided to do something about it! The NBPA’s effort to provide all members in NBA cities with comprehensive, no-cost cardiac exams has saved lives. As the program entered its second half for 2016, members were encouraged to attend dates set for Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York. During 2017, more cities will be hosting heart screenings so be on the lookout for a comprehensive screening near you! NBA players took part in the exams at the Legends World Sports Conference in Las Vegas in July. NBPA Director of Sports Medicine Joe Rogowski was on hand and spoke on the importance of the screenings. “This heart screening program is a first step in taking a proactive approach to player’s healthcare,” he said. “We want to introduce guys with cardiologists who are here on site and from that, they are able to have a relationship with them for future instances.”

The comprehensive screenings include:

1. A medical history evaluation checking for heart disease risk factors; 2. Full echocardiogram checking for problems with heart muscles and valves; 3. Carotid ultrasound checking for thickness of the carotid wall as an indication of atherosclerosis; 4. Blood pressure and a resting 12-lead EKG checking for arrhythmias and heart muscle damage; 5. LabCorp-performed blood work and a complete lipid panel checking for cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and 6. A consultation with a group of cardiologists to discuss the test results and recommendations for further testing and treatment, if indicated.

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NBRPA NEWS

NBRPA BACK TO HAITI FOR THIRD GOODWILL TRIP

NBRPA hosts a basketball clinic for the children at FEJ’s school in Lamardelle.

GIVING BACK IS CONTAGIOUS! THE NBRPA LEGENDS WERE WELCOMED BACK TO HAITI FOR A THIRD YEAR TO SPREAD GOODWILL. THIS YEAR, FORMER PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYERS SELECTED FOR THIS DELEGATION INCLUDE MIKE BROWN, ANTHONY BONNER, TAJ MCWILLIAMS, MAMADOU N’DIAYE, ROBERT REID AND CHARLES “CHOO” SMITH. THE DELEGATION SPENT THREE DAYS VISITING SCHOOLS, ORPHANAGES, HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.

NBRPA’s Sr. VP Erin Miller and delegation visit the FEJ orphanage in Kenscoff.

The NBRPA and FEJ hold a joint press conference to discuss goodwill trip.

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The NBRPA and FEJ visit a local “Green Gym” in Port-au-Prince, which was donated by Fondation Emmanuel Lesly Brezault.

he NBRPA again partnered with the Fondation Enfant Jesus (FEJ), a non-profit that promotes sustainable human development for impoverished children and their families to make this trip possible. FEJ provides full-life development programs such as culturallysensitive education, child and family advocacy, health services, community building and enhancement and support for entrepreneurship. The NBRPA and FEJ attended a variety of philanthropic events including basketball clinics/camps in Petionville and Lamardelle. “We are proud to team up with FEJ again for this very special cause in one of the most culturally rich countries in the world,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie Fielkow. “We (always) look forward to returning to Haiti and helping the communities in need and serving as ambassadors for our great sport to raise spirits in the country recently devastated by Hurricane Matthew.”

Former Harlem Globetrotter, Choo Smith, performs for the children at FEJ’s school in Lamardelle.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

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FULL COURT PRESS

FINGER ROLL, PLEASE HOW TO HEAT UP YOUR POST-NBA CAREER BY HEMDA MIZRAHI

to come. I look back and think that I maximized my chances. While I’m completely content with how it went, I would have wanted to play longer.” Although this longing might linger for you too, you can score your next career wins by posting up for the passes that drove Dan from player to entrepreneur. YOUR POST-PRO CAREER DESCRIPTION: A Values Statement With a family of five children, the flexibility to determine his work hours was an important requirement for Dan and his wife. His role as a broadcaster for the Pac-12 Network offers the leeway to turn down opportunities that overlap with family commitments. “This way,” he says, “I don’t miss out, and I love that I can be close to the game without being affected by the wins and losses [the way that I was as a player].” THE DISH: Shooting for Entry Points En Route to Retirement I asked Dan about his entry into broadcasting. “I was a broadcasting major in college. During the 2009 to 2010 season, I started to guest host. I had spoken with my agent about my interests. His office put together a broadcast and found guest spots for me. I reached out to people I knew. I was a playoff guest analyst on “750AM The Game” in Portland and a broadcaster for a few of the Blazers’ pre- and post-game shows during the playoffs. This was while my mind was still looking to play and I was working out regularly. I was cut on the last day of training camp with Phoenix [in 2009] and played in the D-League for 15 games before I became injured toward the end of the season.” As Dan’s retirement approached after this injury, his career built momentum in several new directions. He was a radio show cohost with ESPN from 2014 through 2015, simultaneously advancing to unplanned opportunities that played to his personal interests and leadership strengths.

f I was offered the chance to play basketball again, I’d be in training tomorrow,” says former NBA player Dan Dickau. Dan speaks to the sentiments of many former pro athletes, especially those who are asking, “Am I really retired?” He reflects on his experience of transitioning from the NBA: “Even though I knew my career was winding down, I was still open to playing, hoping for a contract

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HISTORY AND FAMILIARITY: Clues to Your Future A native of Portland, Oregon, Dan came to know, and on occasion got his hair cut at “The Barbers,” a spin off of the old-fashioned barbershop for males. Fortuitously, during his last year with the NBA in 2008, he met founders Don and Alison Lovell at a charity event. The couple invited him to become a franchisee. During the week that Dan and his wife made the decision to move their family to Spokane, Washington, the Lovells reached out about their plans to expand the franchise. After moving to Spokane,

and researching the franchise and its market, Dan opened three locations of “The Barbers” from 2013 to 2015, each within a short distance of one another in his home city. He shares, “I was known for my long floppy hair in college [at Gonzaga University in Spokane],’ where he was named a first team All-American as a senior in 2002, the year that launched his six years in the NBA. As one of his trademark characteristics, “hair” was a transferable theme in his post-pro career. THE DUNK: A Personal Connection That Makes Business Sense For other entrepreneur-athletes, Dan recommends, “Find a group you’re comfortable working with. I never thought of owning a barbershop. “The Barbers” founders are great [collaborators]. They provided mentorship that eased my concerns as a first-time small business owner. Don was a former Triple-A baseball player. He learned the [haircutting] business while he was a distributor. Alison had worked in a high-end salon. [They had solid expertise in the industry] before they established franchises.” THE PIVOT FOOT: Staying Grounded to Get to the End Goal Dan talks about seeing the bigger picture when your aim doesn’t lead to your vision. “My wife and I went to [Prairie] High School near Portland. I had played for the [Portland Trail] Blazers, and thought I’d be on their coaching staff. During the team’s lockout year, [before the start of the 2011 to 2012 season], there was a verbal agreement that I would be hired. I did some coaching during the shortened season after the lockout lifted, and went out to scout college games. After that season the whole organization was restructured. I wasn’t retained as a coach.” Although his coaching plans were sidelined, he was given a different shot in 2015. The CEO of Scorebook Live, an app that provides teams and leagues with the ability to publish real time game data, moved to Spokane and reached out to Dan through LinkedIn. A former baseball player, the CEO had worked in technology, and offered Dan a job as the Vice President of Market Development. Dan states, “This is

a unique opportunity. It came at the right time. Since the first product the app is focusing on is basketball [there are plans to launch into other sports], it’s an easy fit. As a parent, if you have more than one kid involved in sports, and they are playing in different locations at the same time, you can keep up with how all of them are doing.” He suggests, “The NBA does a good job of trying to prepare players [for retirement], but a lot of players have to figure it out on the fly. You can prepare only to a certain degree because you need full concentration while playing. If you don’t [focus], you risk being out. Create a vision with an end goal and map out how to get there. A lot of it is trial and error. Many athletes don’t have a chance to learn that while they are playing. Be willing to be open and learn.” Dan’s story encourages you to notice the markers that pinpoint your direction (like his hometown connection with “The Barbers” and hair!). His example advises you to find relatable partners and mentors while verifying the viability of a business opportunity. Defining your criteria based on your values (like Dan’s priorities of charitable giving and family) enables you to self-direct. Pivoting when you aren’t scoring frees you up for another pass. Replaying the character traits, talents, and motivation that made you as a pro (such as Dan’s interpersonal and communication skills) keeps your messaging on LinkedIn and other visibility platforms clear and consistent. As in basketball, it’s necessary to simultaneously reach and jump for something that is personally meaningful. Doing so positions you to be a long-term player no matter how many jersey numbers you wear, or what career you’re in. Hemda Mizrahi is a coach and consultant to elite performers like professional athletes who seek to transfer their peak performance skills to entrepreneurship. Learn more about her at http://lifeandcareerchoices.com.

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FULL COURT PRESS

NBRPA AND PARTNERS HOST FULL COURT PRESS IN BOSTON

he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) brought its Full Court Press: Prep For Success program to the Boston YMCA on Saturday, October 8 along with partners the Jr. NBA, Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL), Wintrust Bank and Leadership Foundations. The Boston YMCA was founded in 1851 and was the first Y in the United States of America, an entity that now has approximately 2,700 local programs throughout the country. On hand to help host the clinic were Legends Dwight Davis, Wes Matthews, Bob Bigelow, and Adrienne Goodson. The former players spent the day assisting the kids with multiple activities throughout the day including on-court basketball drills while Leadership Foundations and Wintrust Bank held three classroom sessions focusing on life skills and financial literacy, respectively. Former WNBA All-Star Adrienne Goodson came away very impressed after participating in her first

Full Court Press. “I hope that the kids can go home and practice their skills in their driveway even if they do not live near a basketball court,” said Goodson. “We promote good sportsmanship, discipline, and respect for the coaches. It is important to develop your character every day.” The Full Court Press program features the Jr. NBA curriculum that teaches the fundamental skills of the game in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. “Every kid was working hard,” said Wes Matthews. “My highlight was their camaraderie as well as watching all the counselors work together. I hope they learned that their dreams can come true. Kids have to understand the importance of a good work ethic and the right attitude to be successful in their lives and do the right things.” To cap off a great day and event, officials from Wintrust mentored the Legends, treating the players out to dinner and informing them of the ways they help NBRPA members in their post-basketball careers.

NBRPA AND PARTNERS HOST FULL COURT PRESS IN PHOENIX

he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) brought its Full Court Press: Prep For Success program to Phoenix, Arizona at Carl Hayden Community High School on Thursday, June 16 along with partners Jr. NBA, Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and Leadership Foundation. Helping to host the clinic were NBRPA

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he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) brought its Full Court Press: Prep For Success program to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. The Portland event took place at The Warner Pacific College on Thursday, July 21 and the Seattle event took place at The Rainer Community Center on Saturday, July 23. Also participating at the events were the Jr. NBA, Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and Leadership Foundation. In Portland, the clinic was hosted by Michael Harper, Slick Watts, Talvin Skinner, Vladimir Stepania, Craig Ehlo and Fred Jones.Slick Watts noted that though it is a tad bit hard for him to remain as energized as he once did during his playing days, working with the kids gives him rejuvenation unlike any other. “It was a lot of work but whenever you get tired the

kids pick you up,” said Watts. “I woke up at 4 a.m. and drove four hours from Seattle because I do not believe in being late. The kids tried to do their best and before I even noticed I was not tired anymore.” Skinner agreed with Watts on the kids’ outstanding work. “I think they had fun with it but I think they really appreciated when they made a mistake and I told them to do it again,” he said. “When they slowed down and got it right I could tell that they were starting to hear me.” At Full Court Press clinics, officials from PAL and Leadership Foundation assist with mentoring roundtables and classroom sessions. In a time where police and civilian interaction is more important than ever, these sessions prove extremely valuable to the youth participating. “It is a fabulous outreach opportunity for the NBRPA to team up with police and leadership groups and share our knowledge,” said Jack Sikma. Sikma participated in the Seattle Full Court Press clinic, just two days after the Portland clinic, along with members Lenny Wilkens, Vester Marshall, Vladimir Stepania and James Donaldson. “The classroom breakout sessions we had were very engaging because the kids had so many questions,” said Donaldson. “We shared a lot of information with them and they would be encouraging and quizzing each other. It was very interactive.” Sikma, a seven-time All-Star with the Seattle Supersonics, knows that the Full Court Press programs leaves a positive impact to all kids. “Activity leads to a healthy lifestyle and I try to be open with the kids,” he said. “For them to see guys who had an opportunity to experience life in the NBA is really great. I was once where they were so I try to make a connection with the community.” The Full Court Press program also features the Jr. NBA curriculum that teaches the fundamental skills of the game in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.

Phoenix Chapter President Matt Fish, Jim Paxson, Carolyn Moos, Nick Sheppard, Stephen Hunter and Fat Lever. “We served a large amount of students and had plenty of time at each station to teach and really make a difference,” said Phoenix Chapter President Matt Fish. The clinic also left a lasting impression on Dr. Kit Danley, President of Neighborhood Ministries, the local affiliate of Leadership Foundation. “What an incredible day we had with everyone during the Full Court Press Event with the

Leadership Foundation, National Basketball Retired Players Association and Police Athletic League,” she said. “Speaking for the kids and leaders, it was a momentous day.” Leaders from the various organization and players spent the day assisting the Phoenix kids with basketball drills that follows the Jr. NBA curriculum that teaches the fundamental skills of the game in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience. Meanwhile NBRPA partners from PAL and Leadership Foundation assisted with mentoring roundtables and classroom sessions.

NBRPA HOSTS FULL COURT PRESS IN PORTLAND AND SEATTLE

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FULL COURT PRESS

HOUSTON CHAPTER GOES ROBOTIC

R T

obotics Night. The Chapter teamed up with Space Center Houston and the Houston Rockets to allow school aged children to come in for an interactive experience with robots. A wonderful turnout and all had a great time.

NBRPA HOSTS FULL COURT PRESS IN CHICAGO he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) brought its Full Court Press: Prep For Success program to Chicago, Illinois at the Chicago Police Training Facility on Saturday, November 12 along with partners Jr. NBA, the Chicago Police Athletic League Chapter (PAL), Wintrust Bank and Strategies for Youth. Legends participating in the clinic included Kenny Gattison, Emmette Bryant, Kenny Battle, Jeff Sanders and Bill Wennington. The former players spent the day providing basketball instruction through the Jr. NBA curriculum, while the NBRPA’s partners taught the kids in the classroom about life lessons. “I hope the kids were able to understand that there are different aspects of life and we give them a chance to see something else,” said Bill Wennington. “When they meet players in person who can teach them that there are things beyond the distractions on the street, it shows them that they have other opportunities to focus on.” Off the court, Wintrust representatives used an

interactive Q&A to educate the kids with financial planning games to keep the mood lively throughout the day. The Chicago PAL, led by retired police officer and community leader Marco Johnson, implemented its Stomping Out Gangs and Drugs program where police officers spoke to the kids about community safety and how best to utilize the community police officers. The kids also had the chance to drive a computer based police car and listen to their passenger give directions. An additional classroom session divided kids into two groups and had them compete against each other in a game of “Juvenile Justice Jeopardy”. Once again, the day was a resounding success and both the kids and the former players came away gleaming about the Full Court Press clinic. “It was great just being involved with all of the kids from all parts of the city who did not have to worry about which street not to cross or whether they could wear their cap backwards,” said Emmette Bryant. “The Full Court Press clinic is always a fun day.”

NBRPA HOSTS FULL COURT PRESS IN TUPELO

he National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) along with partners Jr. NBA, the Police Athletic League (PAL) and Leadership Foundations brought their Full Court Press: Prep For Success program to Tupelo, Mississippi at Tupelo Middle School on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Former NBA and WNBA players Cedric Henderson, Larry Spicer, Arvesta Kelly, Quacy Timmons and Winston Garland were on hand to leave an impact on the Tupelo community. The former players spent the day assisting the kids with multiple activities throughout the day including on-court basketball drills, mentoring roundtables, and classroom sessions. Arvesta Kelly acknowledged the importance of the Full Court Press program. “It’s important to me for youth to participate in sports and learn the correct fundamentals,” Kelly told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. “It’s not only

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a way of exercising, but it’s a way for them to get an education.” Tupelo Police Athletic League Executive Director Lt. Michael Russell was hoping to see 150 kids at the clinic yet were ecstatic when he discovered over 250 kids appearing before him. Speaking to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, he said, “This clinic is 50/50. It’s 50 percent basketball and 50 percent classroom life skills. The retired players will teach them how to conduct themselves as athletes, as productive citizens and how to deal with adversity.” The day was a huge success and the kids came away raving about their experience with the former players. It is through the very important assistance of partners Jr. NBA, PAL, Leadership Foundation, the Tupelo Public School District, Century Construction and Renasant Bank that days like Saturday can be held with great results.

EX-NBA PLAYER PAT BURKE TEACHING SKILLS YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM THAT TEACHES KIDS HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE GAME OF LIFE. HOOPS LIFE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM USES BASKETBALL AS FOUNDATION FOR LIFE SKILLS.

reland may not be a hotbed for NBA players, but don't tell that to Pat Burke, the first Irish-born player in NBA history. Pat moved from Dungloe, Ireland to Cleveland, Ohio when he was 3 year old. Soon after, he began his athletic career... in hockey! “My parents wanted me to be active in sports, so I chose hockey” Pat shared on Rebound Radio recently. Then Pat began growing--6 inches in one summer! “That was a painful few months” Pat admits. As he grew it became more difficult to get into skates and Pat began to realize that maybe a different sport should be his calling. After 12 successful professional years playing basketball, including playing for the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns, Burke pursued another calling. Burke started the Hoops Life after school basketball program after his retirement in 2009. "This program is about an investment in a child's life," Pat said "and the fun thing is they just get to play basketball while they're doing it." Hoops Life is a 12-week program that introduces children to leadership and life skills intended to develop, transform and provide applications to improve their lives on and off the court. Burke gave News 6 a tour of his training facility in Tavares. It features an indoor court as well as space for classroom activities. Beneath a row of framed jerseys from his playing days in both the NBA and European leagues, he explained how his program works.

"Twelve weeks creates a lengthy opportunity to sit down and ask what's going on inside somebody's life," he says. "We ask them how they're looking at situations and when you do that, after a few weeks people start to realize that this is more than just blowing whistles and running up and down the floor, it's about stopping and asking 'how are you handling your homework or what are you looking to achieve with your grades?" Both of Michelle Brown's kids went through the program. She says the results were transformative. She says her son Amarian went from being shy to now confident and outgoing. Amarian says he recognizes the difference in himself. "When I first came here I was really shy and just didn't talk to people," he says. “After this I started opening up, I wanted to talk to people." "They show them how to be responsible at home, at school and on the court," Michelle Brown says of the program. "It teaches you to obey your parents, respect your parents and how to interact with adults as well as other children." Talking to Burke you can sense his excitement for the program and its ability to make a difference in the lives of the players. He seems particularly proud that up to 40-percent of the participants are able to attend because of scholarships made possible through fundraising efforts. Since 2012 Hoops Life Cares, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has provided 479 scholarships to qualified youth.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

HALL OF FAME 2016 REBOUND JOINED THE 2016 NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE EVENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S PRESTIGIOUS CLASS!

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL Shaquille O’Neal’s list of accomplishments included being a threetime NBA Finals MVP, NBA MVP in 2000, Rookie of the Year in 1993, and winning four championships in the NBA, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. A 15-time NBA All Star, he ranks seventh on the NBA All-Time scoring list. O’Neal played 19 years in the NBA averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. O’Neal is an Olympic gold medalist and a member of the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Inducting Shaquille O’Neal into the Hall of Fame will be Julius Erving, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russell, and Isiah Thomas.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL 34

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ALLEN IVERSON ALLEN IVERSON Allen Iverson was one of the most influential basketball players in NBA history. An 11-time NBA All-Star, Iverson played 14 NBA seasons averaging 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was named to the All-NBA First Team a total of three times. He led the league in scoring average four times and steals per game three times. Even though he was only 6 feet and barely 160 pounds, he still led the league in minutes per game seven times. Iverson was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997 and NBA MVP in 2001. Inducting Allen Iverson into the Hall of Fame will be Larry Brown, Julius Erving, and John Thompson.

SHERYL SWOOPES

Sherryl Swoopes is considered one of the greatest womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball players of all time. While in the WNBA, she made the All Star team six times, was named Defensive Player of the year three times, won the WNBA three times and won four straight WNBA Championships with the Houston Comets. Swoopes is also a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a member of the WNBA AllDecade Team. Inducting Sheryl Swoopes into the Hall of Fame will be NBRPA Board Member and fellow Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman and Van Chancellor.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL Point, Illinois, served as an NBA official for 27 years, officiating 1,798 regular season games, 269 playoff games, 41 Finals games and five All-Star games. He was instrumental in organizing and heading the first union for referees, the National Association of Basketball Referees. He is widely considered the individual who shaped modern basketball officiating with a three-person crew and a focus on “refereeing the defense”. He served as NBA Chief of Officiating Staff and Director of Officials (198198) and is the only person to have served as a staff referee and Chief of Staff simultaneously. [Coach] – Tom Izzo, a native of Iron Mountain, Michigan, Izzo has Zerbie Swain Collection Courtesy of the Black Fives Foundation led Michigan State to seven NCAA Final Four appearances (1999-01, CUMBERLAND POSEY 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015). With 18 consecutive trips Posey is considered the greatest African American to the NCAA tournament, his team won the NCAA player of his time (he played from the early 1900s National Championship in 2000. Izzo has coached through mid-1920s). He was not only a great Michigan State to seven Big Ten regular season basketball player but a great baseball player as well. championships (1998-2001, 2009, 2010, 2012), He created, managed and played for the legendary five Big Ten Tournament championships (1999, “Loendi Big Five.” His team was the most dominant 2000, 2012, 2014, 2016), and 13 Sweet Sixteen of the black fives era winning four straight Colored appearances. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Basketball World Championships. Posey’s baseball Year three times (1998, 2009, 2012), NABC Coach of career spanned 35 years, both on the field and as the Year twice (2001, 2012), Clair Bee Coach of the businessman. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall Year (2005) and Associated Press National Coach of of Fame in 2006. the Year (1998). Inducting Cumberland Posey into the Hall of Fame [Coach] – John McClendon, a native of Hiawatha, will be Earl Monroe. Kansas, McLendon was the first coach to win [Contributor] – Jerry Reinsdorf is a remarkably three consecutive national championships, leading successful lawyer and businessman who followed Tennessee State to NAIA National Championships his love of sports to purchase the Chicago White in 1957, 1958 and 1959. He compiled a collegiate Sox and in 1985, the Chicago Bulls. Under his coaching record of 522-165 (.760) and was named leadership, the Bulls won six world championships NAIA Coach of the Year in 1958. He was the first and became one of the most iconic teams in the African-American coach to accomplish many feats history of sports. Reinsdorf has done extensive including winning a national tournament (1954), charitable work to benefit the Chicago Public winning a national championship (1957) and winning Schools and the Chicago Park District and was an AAU national championship (1961). He was the awarded the Jefferson Award for Public Service for first African-American to coach in a professional leading the philanthropic outreach of the White Sox league, the ABL. Already enshrined in the Hall and CharitaBulls Charities. of Fame as a “Contributor,” he will now also be [Referee] – Darell Garretson, a native of Long enshrined as a coach.

CUMBERLAND POSEY

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ZELMO BEATY ZELMO BETTY Known as “Big Z”, Beaty averaged 25 points and 20 rebounds per game during his college career at Prairie View A&M. He led them to the 1962 NAIA Championship while earning the Chuck Taylor MVP Award. As a pro, he was a two time NBA All-Star and three-time ABA All-Star. He helped lead the Utah Stars to an ABA Championship in 1971 and was awarded the ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award. Inducting Zelmo Beaty into the Hall of Fame will be Lenny Wilkens.

YAO MING

YAO MING An 8-time All Star while in the NBA, Yao Ming’s emergence in the NBA helped create a new fan base for the league in China. His impact continues to be seen today. The first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft the same year, Ming earned All-Rookie honors his first season and would go on to be named to the All-NBA Team five times. As the anchor of the Chinese National Team, Yao was named a three-time FIBA Asian Championship MVP. Dikembe Mutombo, Bill Russell, and Bill Walton inducted Yao into the Hall of Fame.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

NBRPA CHAPTERS COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY A GRASSROOTS APPROACH

Fat Lever helps with breakfast in thee classroom at Desert Sands Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona.

ELEVEN NBRPA CHAPTERS EXIST THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. EACH CHAPTER AND THEIR FRATERNITY WORK TIRELESSLY AND SELFLESSLY GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE. CHECK OUT SOME OF THE WAYS OUR MEMBERS SHARE THEIR GIFTS AND TALENTS IMPROVING OUR WORLD DAILY. ATLANTA The NBRPA Atlanta Chapter joined Atlanta police and Morehouse College for a free, day-long summit to address youth concerns. Members of the Atlanta Police Gang Unit and NBRPA Atlanta Chapter members spoke to the kids during several workshops. A celebrity basketball game was held after the workshops, followed by a miniconcert by artist DC Young Fly. In addition to the workshops and celebrity game, the kids were also given tickets to the Atlanta Hawks versus the Charlotte Hornets game. “We had a lot of fun with the kids and taught them about bullying and why not to bully,” said Theo Ratliff.

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President Dale Ellis

CHICAGO SOME OF CHICAGO’S EFFORTS: • • • • • • • • • •

Stars and Cars benefits Northern Illinois Food Bank feeding more than 71,000 people in 10 separate counties each week! Chicago White Sox Charitable Donations Program through Major League Baseball’s Commissioner’s Community Initiative Program for Westside Boys Clubs, Chicago. Youth Basketball Clinic and banquet “The Original Buffalo Braves Event (Now, LA Clippers) in Buffalo, NY. “Future of The Game” Southside YMCA Basketball Clinic in Chicago, IL. Evanston Township High School Basketball Clinic in Evanston, IL. “New Life for Old Bags” Recycling old plastic bags into mats for homeless to sleep on. Emmette Bryant Honoree and speaker: “DePaul University 50 Year Athletic Event” “F.C.H.N.” Feed, Clothe, Help your Neighbor raised money and hand out over 250 bags of groceries and cleaning supplies to low income and homeless Chicagoans. Raised funds for a head stone marker for original Harlem Globetrotter, Leon Hilliard “Fisher House Golf Event” raises money for Veterans and their families to find housing while undergoing long-term medical care near V.A. facilitates.

DALLAS

ORLANDO

allas Chapter took part in heart screenings hosted by the National Basketball Players Association. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) recently invited National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) members to receive free, comprehensive heart screening exams in Dallas, Texas. At the event, NBRPA Dallas Chapter President Willie Davis spoke to American Heart Association News and told them how valuable the screenings are: “There are some guys who really don’t have good health coverage, and this is huge,” Davis said. “It’s a wonderful gesture by the current guys who want to recognize the people who paved the way for them. We’re just thankful.”

President Wayne “Tree” Rollins

SOME OTHER DALLAS EVENTS INCLUDED: • • • •

A Night in Tahiti supporting the Children At Risk Foundation Gala at the Zsa Zsa Hotel, Dallas, TX. Donation to Pinkston High School, Dallas, TX for donation to purchase knee pads for the girls’ basketball team. Fort Worth Southside Youth Athletic Association Basketball Skills clinic at Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, TX. Sponsored a bracket at the Allen Holiday Invitation

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

DETROIT

LAS VEGAS

ne of many Detroit Chapter givebacks included a basketball camp. NBA’s former stars discussed their continuous connection within the city — from Bing, who mentored Coleman when he moved from Alabama to Chapter Detroit around age 13, to President Coleman, who mentored Rose Derrick when Coleman was in college, Coleman giving him food, his car and anything else he needed, to Rose, who started his Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in the city four years ago and recently celebrated its first graduating class. Bing always appreciates that former basketball stars continually give back. The importance was noted for Bing, Rose and Coleman, as well as former U-M player Jimmy King, former NBA player Willie Burton and former Piston Rick Mahorn to be among those giving their time for the younger generation. “They could be doing something else today,” Bing said. “Basketball is just a vehicle to move to something else in your life.”

LOS ANGELES

MIAMI

he Los Angeles Chapter members are giving back to the surrounding communities in LA CHAPTER a variety of fun and impactful ways. From providing back packs of school supplies at High Schools in San Bernardino, to bestowing grants to Giving Children Hope in Buena Park, to a Wounded Warrior gala fundraiser in Palm Springs, to a charity Beach Boys Concert in L.A., the differences being made are unmistakable. These dedicated professional athletes tirelessly give of themselves year-round.

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he JYD Project has partnered with the Las Vegas Chapter NBRPA to deliver over 40,000 books to all NBRPA Chapter cities as well as New Orleans and Washington DC. We have assemblies that include poetry contests, student forums and NBA Legend / Celebrity basketball games in all Chapter cities. We have also received over 50 videos from NBA players and Legends endorsing Shooting for Peace with a positive message. Jerome "JYD" Williams encouraged students at Career Day to shoot for their dreams and delivered Shooting for Peace books. This year’s NBA All-Star weekend will include a Shooting for Peace assembly Chapter at Joseph S. Clark high President school. Alabama State Jerome University will be on hand "JYD" to deliver scholarships to Williams those students who qualify and participate in our poetry contest.

he NBRPA Miami Chapter held its 4th annual PAL Summer Jam basketball camp in partnership with the Irving Thomas Elite Basketball Academy and PAL of North Miami. The week long camp consisted of 100 local boys and girls between the ages of 8-18 MIAMI CHAPTER years old. Daily instruction from the best coaches in South Florida, daily lunch and snack, jerseys, and gift bags were provided to each participant. Guest speaker and NBA legend Wali Jones spoke with the kids as well as local officials, judges, PAL officers, and local dignitaries. The kids also had the opportunity to participate in a skills challenge against PAL officers from North Miami. The kids won! Miami Chapter participated in the Alonzo Mourning Zo’s Winter Groove, a family event that raises funds and awareness by discussing relevant issues and topics that directly reflect the youth today. Day 2 is a 5K walk and run and basketball and football clinic to promote a healthy lifestyle. Day 3 and 4 include a comedy event and golf outing.

NEW YORK Letter to chapter Dear Mr. Hoover and Mr. Archibald, On behalf of the children and staff at Incarnation Children's Center, I would like to thank you for throwing a most wonderful holiday party for the ICC children, including endless food, drinks, desserts and gifts!!! We are so grateful for your most generous support, especially around the holidays which can be such a difficult time of the year for so many of our kids. Your caring truly made the holidays special for the children and teens at ICC. Most special was your presence; spending time with the children for the holidays when so many of them have been left behind. We cannot thank you enough. I am so glad I was there to spend time with both of you and the children! What very special men you are. I am personally grateful for your presence and for bringing such happiness and positive energy with you to the children. The kids were all wearing their new sweatshirts and T-shirts the next day, bouncing basketballs with big smiles on their face, all thanks to you! Your generosity reminds us that there is hope for our children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. You have allowed us to brighten their lives and remind them just how special they are. Thanks to donors like you, Incarnation Children's Center can continue to provide these HIV-positive children and teens with a place to live, learn, and feel safe. Thank you again for thinking of us this holiday season. You truly are champions for these ICC children, struggling each day living with HIV/AIDS. Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year. With heartfelt gratitude, Meagan Frederick

OTHER GIVEBACKS • • • • • •

Helping youth deal with AIDS Red Hook Food Bank raising money for the less fortunate Basketball youth camp at Newtown Elementary Shooting for Peace event Domestic Violence Center’s Christmas party World Basketball Tournament

PHOENIX

he Phoenix Chapter is proud to give back to the local community and does so in a variety of ways. To highlight a few, the Phoenix Chapter awarded two grants to Valley of the Sun United Way. The Reading Initiative grant went to School Readiness Kits (SRKs). These kits help incoming kindergarten students and their parents prepare for school to foster more success throughout their schooling career. The SRKs were purchased with the grant and the Phoenix Chapter assembled over 1,000 kits and helped deliver them to households in need. The Hunger in Our Cities grant fed Desert Sands Middle school breakfast for an entire year. Many students can’t afford breakfast, instead of singling out those students, the Phoenix Chapter’s grant helped feed all of the students. The Chapter also helped deliver food to the classrooms. The Phoenix Chapter participated in the donation of a modular home to the Ali family. Zahid Ali is a Veteran. While deployed to Afghanistan as a Marine

Phoenix Chapter he experienced a traumatic brain injury that has impacted his day-to-day activities. Now Zahid, his wife and young son have a place to call home. The Chapter, was happy to help with Zahid’s transition to life after serving our country, was on hand to welcome the Ali family into their new home.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

BRIAN GRANT

UNDERSTANDING TREMORS

n 2008, when Brian Grant was just 36 years old, Early Onset Parkinson was his diagnosis. The 12-year NBA Veteran has another battle on his hands. Born in small town Ohio and growing up in the 80s he battled long hours earning little pay in the summers putting in hay, digging up potatoes and cutting tobacco. A self-described goof-off until Mom set him straight; he then focused on basketball as his sport of choice. Once deciding basketball was his passion, he battled Osgood-Schlatter Disease with excruciating pain in his knees growing 6 inches in 6 months. His junior year in high school, Brian literally physically battled a teammate and was kicked off for the season. He returned to lead Georgetown High School in Ohio to a storied senior season, “just like

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Hoosiers, with 35 cars following the bus from small town to small town” said Brian. Next he was off to Xavier College where he honed his craft and worked hard to be twice named Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and Associated Press honorable mention AllAmerican team his junior year after ranking second in the nation in field goal percentage with 65.4 percent. His hard work bestowed the honor of being drafted 8th overall to the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. Working his way through the NBA for teams included the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. Earning a nice salary during his career, he retired in 2006. For any professional athlete, being told you’re past your prime

at an age when most people are just getting into their prime is a severe shock. Although the NBA offers seminars on life after basketball, Grant said “There’s really no way to adequately prepare someone for exiting what he calls the ‘vacuum of non-reality’ that is professional sports.” Like most athletes, retiring is a battle all to itself. Family problems and depression took hold. “It just isn’t easy for a strong African American male to seek counseling” claims Grant, “I didn’t want to feel like I was weak. I knew I wasn’t right and Zoloft was prescribed. Overtime, things got better.” To add to the battles of retirement, divorce, and depression, Brian was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s

Disease, a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors. Going public with his disease in 2008 when he was 36, he redesigned his charity to support efforts toward the education and awareness of Parkinson's disease in order to increase earlier diagnosis, educate patients and their families, and provide a viable forum for people affected by the disease. The mission of the foundation is to help those impacted by Parkinson's to live active and fulfilling lives. The foundation hosts an annual fundraiser, Shake It Till We Make It, to raise money to provide support and resources for all those affected by Parkinson's disease. Shake It Till We Make It is a two-day celebrity gala and golf tournament hosted in Portland, Oregon. The Brian Grant Foundation partners with other foundations, such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's

Research and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, to support and fund research dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and to finding improved therapies for people living with Parkinson's disease. But helping others is nothing new for Grant. In 1999, the NBA gave Grant itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in recognition of his outstanding community service and charitable work. After all the battles in Brian Grantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and continuing his biggest battle, fighting his disease, he has kept a positive outlook. Yet, the Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease advances. His tremors, a constant spasm at the left wrist, have recently spread to his other arm. Walking has become more difficult as he reminds himself how to take a step. His shortterm memory has been getting worse too. As the disease continues to take hold, Grant battles. Shining bright, he works as a rookie analyst on the Portland Trailblazers radio broadcast. Enthusiastic about his new job, he prepares for his new job with new purpose. Battling and working hard to become good at another skill, mastering the art of communication on the radio. Recently, Grant hired a Nike basketball trainer to prepare his boys for the big stage and next level, knowing bigger things are on the horizon, for himself and his children. Battle on BG! You inspire us all!

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

SECOND GENERATION NBA PLAYERS BY AUSTIN ROBILLARD

t is a well-known fact among fans that Stephen Curry and his brother Seth are the sons of former NBA great, Dell Curry. This fact is not easily overlooked as all three are or were notorious sharpshooters from anywhere on the court. With Steph winning back to back NBA MVP’s (one being the first unanimous) this connection has gained a lot of media coverage. His brother Seth continues to improve each game, proving even more that this apple fell close to the tree as well. But did you know that there have been over 70 father-son duos in the NBA? There have been GrandfatherGrandson duos too! The Curry family is one set of these not-so-rare happenings in the NBA. Steph Curry’s

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teammate, sharpshooter Klay Thompson’s father Mychal Thompson also played in the NBA. Winning the NBA championship in the 2014-2015 season, Klay and his father Mychal are the fourth (4th) father son duo to have won a ring. Before them, Matt Guoskas Sr. and Matt Guoskas Jr. (1st); Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Mike Dunleavy Jr. (2nd); and also Bill Walton and Luke Walton (3rd). Current Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was a great NBA player. Playing for the Hawks, Knicks, Clippers and Spurs, Doc coached the Boston Celtics to an NBA title in 2008. His son Austin also plays in the NBA. Austin became the fourth son to play against his dad who was the coach. However, Austin has moved around the league and

happened to land on the Clippers with his Dad coaching. This is the first time in NBA history where a son has played under his father. Sometimes too, generations are skipped. John Barber and his two grandsons, Jason Sasser and Jeryl Sasser whom all played in the NBA are one of the four different families to have skipped a generation. Bruce Hale, former NBA player and father-in-law to basketball Hall of Famer, Rick Barry had three grandsons who played in the NBA, Jon, Brent and Drew. There will always be coincidences in the world. Second and third generation NBA players may happen more often than one might think. These genetic connections will continue to happen as history has proven.