Rebound 2018 All-Star Los Angeles

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

NBA LEGEND ALL-STARS MAKING HISTORY AGAIN

All-Star LA Preview | Legends of Basketball | “We Made This Game”

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

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CONTENT

NBRPA

Rebound Magazine PUBLISHER/CEO

Matthew Fish mattfish@reboundmagazine.com CONSULTANT

Mark Fish FishStix@hotmail.com WRITERS

Michael Vayan vayango@gmail.com Bob Huhn bobhuhn55@hotmail.com Dean Lampereur dean.lampereur@avnet.com Hemda Mizrahi hemda@lifeandcareerchoices.com SALES

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EDITORIAL

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ADVERTISE

NANCY LIEBERMAN PG. 22

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FROM the PUBLISHER

PG. 44

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NBRPA NEWS 0 HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017 1 11 NBRPA AND ADA: BATTLING DIABETES 11 NBRPA ON MEMBERSHIP GRANT

LEGENDS of BASKETBALL 4 SPENCER HAYWOOD - A TRUE GAME CHANGER 1 22 NANCY LIEBERMAN - WINNER OF THE 2017 MANNIE JACKSON HUMAN SPIRIT AWARD 28 JONES FAMILY LEGACY 32 JOE BARRY CARROLL: CHAMPION OF JUSTICE

NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND PREVIEW 4 NBA DAY OF SERVICE 4 JR NBA DAY 5 SHOOTING FOR PEACE 5 LEGENDS WELCOME RECEPTION 6 LA CHAPTER VIEWING & AFTER PARTY 7 LEGENDS PARTY 8 ALL-STAR WEEKEND SCHEDULE PREVIEW

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JOE BARRY CARROLL

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SPOLIGHTS

LEGENDS WORLDS SPORTS CONFERENCE RECAP

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NBRPA STAFF

Scott Rochelle | President /CEO (Interim) Erin Miller | Sr. Vice President of Operations & Events Kenny Gattison I Vice President of Membership & Player Programming Excell Hardy Jr. l Sr. Director of Member Relations Cameron Ballard | Director of Advancement/Cousel Brittany Ray I Marketing & Communications Manager Mariam Kurdadze l Operations and Events Manager Max Gordon | Digital Content Coordinator NBRPA BOARD MEMBERS

Johnny Newman, Chairman Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Casey Shaw, Treasure Nancy Lieberman, Secretary Rick Barry, Director Dwight Davis, Director LaRue Martin Director Eldridge Recasner, Director James Donaldson, Director Mike Glenn, Director SPORTS MEDIA MARKETING, LLC. 3317 S. Higley Rd., Ste. 114-224 Gilbert, AZ 85297 Phone: 480-586-6941 ReboundMagazine.com

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FEATURES 60 CHAPTER UPDATES 66 BRINGING THE NBA TO INDIA 68 LETTER FROM STEVE CHUBIN 70 DOC GREEN’S HEALING COLLECTIVE

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FROM the PUBLISHER

FISH TALK LA ALL-STAR 2018

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BA All-Star feels right in Los Angeles. Anytime glitz and glamour is combined with muscles, grace, fame and money, the NBA has once again, aligned correctly. Although the Forum is dearly missed for the nostalgic, the Staple Center has proven before that it serves as a great venue to take in the All-Star and Star-Studded festivities. This is a record breaking sixth time the NBA All-Star game has been hosted in L.A, beating out New York City that has hosted five. The NBRPA, like every year, will be assisting by giving back to the community, promoting the game, and supporting one another in areas of need, including transitioning to life after professional basketball.

WELCOME TO LA AND ENJOY THE MANY EXCITING EVENTS! Congratulations to the Chapters for all that you do! The hard work being done throughout the United States and all over the world is truly far reaching helping man kind in a wide variety of ways. Special shout out to Rick Darnell, working hard to advance the LA Chapter and the many hours of giving back to the communities surrounding Los Angeles working towards the LA All-Star, working overtime to bring excellence to the membership and the communities.

Matt Fish Publisher, Rebound mattfish@reboundmagazine.com

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GREETINGS

FROM THE NBRPA INTERIM CEO NBRPA FAMILY, The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is wrapping up another successful year due in large part to our growing and engaged membership, committed staff, supportive partners and passionate leadership through our Founders, Board of Directors and Chapter Presidents. All-together, this collaborative effort has laid a strong foundation from which we have remained steadfast and focused in fulfilling our mission. Reflecting on the year, I am tremendously proud of the goals we have accomplished, challenges we have overcome and the foundation laid for a productive and exciting future. When I became interim CEO, I was welcomed with open arms and accepted a challenge to do things differently. The organization’s resources are not infinite, but with the support of the Board of Directors, we are taking on the challenge to rejuvenate membership, galvanize member benefits and elevate the brand of the NBRPA. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation for each member of the NBRPA staff. This unit of professionals remained locked into their roles, and I recognize that we wouldn’t have continued such unprecedented success without their energy, unwavering focus and dedication. The NBRPA Board of Directors must also be commended for their willingness to put the organization first and move our operation forward. This past year was marked by growth, self-evaluation and transition. I am privileged to work alongside a board comprised of diverse business minds and proven leaders who share a passion for serving the former player community. Most importantly, the members, our lifeblood, have committed countless hours and resources, many serving in volunteer roles through our chapter program. Indeed, the chapter program has expanded as a result of member involvement; we expanded into Washington, D.C. and Cleveland in 2017 and will look to continue this growth into 2018.

Through our self-evaluation and transition, the greatest advancements were made in the areas of programming and member benefits. The Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund saw an unprecedented increase of 90 percent in scholarship awards as our total distribution reached $250,000. Strong fundraising and partnerships have allowed us to extend our Member Grant program for the next ten years after a 70 percent increase in funding. This has been a remarkable year with several new and exciting developments, but we’re not done yet. Looking toward the future, the NBRPA will continue our strategic planning that will prioritize recruiting an active membership; creating and fostering the player community; restructuring operations, administration, and board governance; and ramping up advocacy. With an eye on advancement, I believe that we can achieve our goal to be the very best professional membership association. I have the benefit of working with outstanding colleagues to serve a worthy constituency at the NBRPA, and I thank you for the opportunity and honor of representing you. The NBRPA and its members should always enjoy its accomplishments, but I believe that the NBRPA’s brightest days are ahead of it. I look forward to playing a role in its continued success as a servant of this awesome organization.

Scott Rochelle Interim CEO National Basketball Retired Players Association

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ALL-STAR WEEKEND PREVIEW

L.A. ALL-STAR WEEKEND T

he NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, California will take place on Friday, February 16-18, 2018 at the Staples Center, home of the L.A. Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Many great traditions continue and new exciting events are planned for the star-studded and action packed showcase weekend. The Welcome Party, the Legends Brunch the SlamDunk and 3-Point Contest, the All-Star game to name just a few. This will mark the record sixth NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles and third in the Staples Center. The NBRPA’s host hotel is the L.A. Hotel Downtown, in the heart of all of the All-Star events. Participation brings us all back to that euphoria known as V.I.P. Come and enjoy the fantastic festivities and comradery!

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SHOOTING FOR PEACE LEGENDS EVENT

PANEL LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION & NBA LEGENDS GAME VS. STUDENTS THURSDAY, FEB. 15TH NOON-3PM

MANUAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL 3400 SOUTH FIGUEROA STR LOS ANGELES CA. 90037

We invite any Legend who wants to attend, last years event with Chapter Presidents had over 35 Legends!

NBRPA Chapters are providing digital Education through EverFi to over 35,000 students across the USA/Canada. Our program launched last year at All-Star New Orleans & begins again Jan. 2018 with African American history 306. It will also expand to include, Financial Literacy, Social Media, Leadership and more.

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ALL-STAR WEEKEND PREVIEW

Los Angeles NbRpA + USVBA PRESENTS THE NBA ALL-STARS 20I8 GAME VIEWING PARTY Hosted by Hall of famers Jamaal Wilkes AND Ralph Sampson, Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper, Michael cage and Rick Darnell and the LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL LA CHAPTER INVITED GUESTS HALL OF FAMERS Elgin Baylor Julius Erving Jamaal Wilkes Rick Barry Bill Walton Ann Meyers Dale Ellis Oscar Robertson Dave Bing Archie Clark Dave Cowens Ralph Sampson Nancy Lieberman Spencer Haywood NBRPA Kiki VanDeWeghe Rick Darnell Jerome Williams Larry Spriggs Bill Walton Michael Cooper Michael Cage Kenny Gattison Tree Rollins Matt Fish Ann Meyers-Drysdale Dale Ellis Emmette Bryant John Williamson Keith Erickson Marques Johnson Michael Smith Tracy Murray

Lamond Murray Jerry Chambers Louie Nelson Reggie Theus Miles Simon Brian Shaw Danny Schayes Mark Eaton Sam Perkins A.C. Green Sam Williams Duane Cooper Darwin Cook David Cooke Ed Ratleff Glen McDonald Sam Robinson Linda Fröhlich Major Jones Ollie Taylor Kevin Loder Jeff Houston Willie Davis Willie Burton Tom Hoover Don Ford Olden Polynice Juaquin Hopkins Corey Benjamin Mark Campanaro

NBRPA Board of Directors Johnny Newman Spencer Haywood Casey Shaw Nancy Lieberman Rick Barry Dwight Davis James Donaldson Mike Glenn LaRue Martin Jr. David Naves Eldridge Recasner NBRPA Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors Rick Darnell, President Norm Nixon, Vice President Jamaal Wilkes, Vice President Sam Williams Mark Campanaro 75 additional retired player from across the country have been invited.

GLOBETROTTERS Ron Knight Jermaine Middleton Cameron Murray

ALL Proceeds donated to the NBRPA, los angeles DVBA And CHARIBLE programs AND KIDS AND RISK

COME PARTY WITH THE GREATEST NBA PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. VIEW THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME AND HANG OUT WITH THE PLAYERS AFTER THE GAME. EAT FOOD. DRINK. DANCE. SMOKE CIGARS. SAMPLE THE BEST TEQUILA. ENJOY A CRAFT BEER AND FINE WINE. TAKE PHOTOS. GET AUTOGRAPHS. BE HAPPY.

$99.00 DONATION (1) Ticket to the private NBRPA NBA All-Star 2018 Game Viewing Party event and Legends Closing Party (1) Access to the Main Hall and Purple Heart Inn, serving traditional game food and snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine and sampling some of the finest spirits while viewing of the game

*Tickets $99 pre-sale – $125 at door

$

149.00 VIP DONATION

(1) Ticket to the private NBRPA NBA All-Star 2018 Game Viewing Party event and Legends Closing Party (1) Access to the Main Hall and Purple Heart Inn, serving traditional game food and snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine and sampling some of the finest spirits while viewing of the game (1) Access to the VIP Room during the After Game Party to meet and greet Hall of Famers, NBRPA players in the Legends VIP Lounge with open bar.

*Tickets $149 pre-sale – $199 at the door

TICKETS: nbaallstar2018.eventbrite.com Sunday, 18 February 5pm – 11pm Bob Hope Patriotic Hall 1816 South Figueroa Street Downtown Los Angeles CA 90015

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The 2018 NBA All-Star in Los Angeles is going to be a star-studded action packed community responsible extended weekend! The Legends start Friday, February 16th with Jr. NBA Day, NBA Day of Service and the Legends Welcome Party Reception and NBA Welcome Party.

Saturday boasts the NBRPA Legends Breakfast with Athletes in Action, All-Star Slam Dunk / 3-Point and Legends Watch Party.

Then Sunday the NBA All-Star Chapel, 19th annual Legends Brunch and 67th NBA All-Star Game! Always a great time!

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ALL-STAR WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 4:00pm - 8:00pm All-Star Games & Brunch Pick Up Pico (2nd Floor) TBD 2018 NBRPA Board of Directors Meeting Regency Boardroom

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 11:00am - 4:30pm Legends All-Star Lounge & Registration California Salon 1 (2nd Floor) 11:00am - 4:30pm All-Star Games & Brunch Ticket Pickup California Salon 1 (2nd Floor) 12:00pm - 5:00pm Jr. NBA Day (Pre-registration; Members Only) *+ LA Conv. Center 12:00pm - 5:00pm NBA Day of Service (Need to be pre-registered)* + TBD TBD EarQ Hearing Testing Melrose & Olvera (2nd Floor) TBD Legends Welcome Reception Presented by TBD California Salon 1 (2nd Floor) TBD NBA Welcome Party (Invitation Only)* TBD 6:00pm - 8:00pm Rising Stars Challenge* + Staples Center

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 TBD NBRPA Legends Breakfast with Athletes In Action* California Salon 2-4 (2nd Floor) 11:00am - 3:00pm Legends All-Star Lounge & Registration California Salon 1 (2nd Floor) 11:00am - 3:00pm All-Star Games & Brunch Ticket Pickup California Salon 1 (2nd Floor) TBD EarQ Hearing Testing Melrose & Olvera 6:00pm All-Star Slam Dunk/3-Point Saturday Night *+ Staples Center 6:00pm - 10:00pm Legends Watch Party *+ TBD

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 8:30am - 9:30am NBA All-Star Chapel TBD 10:00am - 1:00pm 19th Annual Legends Brunch (Invitation Only)*+ TBD 5:00pm - 11pm LA Chapter Viewing/ After Party Bob Hope Patriotic Hall 6:00pm - 8:00pm 67th NBA All-Star Game*+ Staples Center

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NBRPA NEWS

NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017

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TRACY MCGRADY

MANNIE JACKSON

ROBERT HUGHES

BILL SELF

REBECCA LOBO

MUFFET MCGRAW

NICK GALIS

TOM JERNSTEDT

GEORGE MCGINNIS

he 2017 Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 was recently inducted and includes seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, former ABA and NBA star George McGinnis, former UConn and WNBA star Rebecca Lobo, Kansas men’s head coach Bill Self, Notre Dame women’s coach Muffet McGraw, former Texas high school coach Robert Hughes, former Harlen Globetrotters player and now owner Mannie Jackson, NCAA administrator Tom Jernstedt and former European star Nick Galis.

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NBRPA AND ADA: BATTLING DIABETES

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developing type 2 diabetes learn valuable skills to help them live a full and healthy life. ADA will also support the NBRPA’s Full Court Press: Prep for Success clinics. Additionally, NBRPA members will lend support in communicating proper diet and exercise tips, and sharing healthy recipes via social media The collaborative effort takes and events throughout the year. advantage of cross-marketing opportunities through social “The cause of the ADA media, ADA programs aligns perfectly with the and awareness campaigns, including the Risk Test, a mission of our organization, screening tool to assess the as many members are risk for prediabetes. Basketball impacted either individually legends will also make special appearances at ADA’s Camp or through family members PowerUp, an education who live with diabetes,” program dedicated to helping said Scott Rochelle, interim children and families at risk of BRPA and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are working together to benefit both the members of the NBRPA and advance the ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives all people affected by diabetes.

president and CEO of the NBRPA. “This partnership enables both organizations to share resources and do good in the community.

We see a great opportunity to help raise awareness to the cause and to draw our members closer to the efforts of the ADA.” As part of this charity partnership, a series of events titled “Thursday Night Hoops Watch Parties” will launch.

Alumni from the NBA and WNBA will join the ADA in local communities across the country to generate awareness for the ADA and its mission.

NBRPA DOUBLES DOWN ON MEMBERSHIP GRANT

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BRPA increased the annual member grant program funding by 70% in 2018. More funds become available to help members transition to life after basketball.

NBRPA has announced that it is expanding its annual Member Grant Program to concentrate more of its operating funds on helping its members’ transition to life after the game.

The announcement comes as the NBRPA re-invests in its mission to provide resources to help former players start new careers and enter the next phase of life. The annual program cap is being raised

to $75,000, with the individual grant cap increasing to $2,500.

Originally funded for a three year term, the program will now be funded for a ten year period and see a 70% increase in funding.

“We first launched the program in 2015 to help cover virtually all areas necessary to assist former players in the transition to life after basketball,” said Scott Rochelle, interim president and CEO. “The program has already ReboundTalk

proven to be extremely valuable, so the board has approved our request to double down and add even greater value to our members.”

The Member Grant Program has supported players seeking professional development, educational opportunities and those in financial need.

The increases go into effect in January of 2018 and members can download an NBRPA Grant Program application form on the association’s website: www. legendsofbasketball.com.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

SPENCER HAYWOOD A TRUE GAME CHANGER; A MAN STILL ON A MISSION

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s one who has been called arguably the most talented basketball player of all time, it’s not his basketball prowess alone that singles Haywood out from the storied careers of his contemporaries. It’s what he’s done for basketball off the court. While he’s not given to over-exaggeration in his claims, Haywood is definitely not shy about what he’s done to move basketball forward and to claim credit for the results.

A “peaceful but passionate guy, an outsider unafraid to speak the truth,” according to his own description, Haywood is still on a mission to make things better for professional basketball players. Austin Burton, in his piece, “National Treasure: The Spencer Haywood Story” in the March 20, 2012 issue of Dime Magazine, called him “a revolutionary for social change” and “a forefather of the sports entertainment business.”

Born in 1949 in Silver City, Mississippi, a town with a population of only 200, Haywood moved to Detroit in his mid-teens and grew to adulthood during a time of true social upheaval in the U.S. From the late 1950s through the 1960s and beyond, the U.S. was mired in the Vietnam

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Above: Spencer Haywood circa 1977; Right: Spencer Haywood #42 of the New York Knicks moves on the court against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1977 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

If ever there is one man who alone has changed the face of basketball, it is Spencer Haywood. In a game where talking “trash” or “smack,” is considered the norm, it would be easy to dismiss a claim that just one person is responsible for massive change within the industry … except for one thing – it’s all true.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

Above: NBA Legend Spencer Haywood makes an appearance at the BBVA Compass NBA Team Tour on April 2, 2011 at the BBVA Compass Bank in McAllen, Texas. Right (top to bottom): Inductee Spencer Haywood speaks during the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in 2015.; Spencer Haywood helps campers with drills at the Las Vegas Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Basketball Camp in Las Vegas; Haywood participated in NeighborHoops Basketball clinic in Washington in 2006.

War; the Democratic National Convention was taken over by protesters; it was Nixon years with its ongoing fallout from Watergate; and the assassinations of the Kennedys and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. forever changed our world and how we would experience it going forward, both as a nation and as individual citizens.

biggest life dream was simply to own a pair of Converse gym shoes. But then came the 1968 Olympic Games.

Long before the original Dream Team played in the 1992 Olympic Games, there was another team that some argue was just as good, if not better than the ’92 team. That was the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team that played in the 1968 How poignant to remember Olympic Games in Mexico Dr. King giving his beautifully City. Haywood tried out for the inspiring “I have a dream” team and at age 19, he wound speech about racial equality up leading the U.S. team to a while in Haywood’s early gold medal and was named the years (ages 6-14) when he was Most Valuable Player. picking cotton alongside his mother and playing basketball This Olympiad was plagued barefooted on dirt roads, his by racial conflict. U.S. runners 16

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Tommy Smith and John Carlos game the Black Power salute on the medal stand while others chose to boycott the Games, including Kareem AbdulJabbar; Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. Haywood recalls that the Mexican fans booed the team when they arrived because they thought the U. S. couldn’t win.

But after they won the gold and Haywood set records doing it, the fans gave them a standing ovation which brought him to tears. This made Haywood the youngest basketball player in the U.S. to make the men’s team, he had the all-time field goal percentage record (71.9 percent) and he was the youngest basketball player to

win the gold medal. He also scored the most points and rebounds in Olympic history, a record that remained unbroken until 2012.

When you ask Haywood what makes him the most proud of his many accomplishments, he has two. The first is his Olympic performance – winning the gold medal, keeping it from the Russians who expected to win it, and setting those four records. He says he saved America in 1968 from losing to the world for the first time in the history of basketball.

The second thing that makes Haywood proud is his fight that went all the way to the Supreme Court that, in his words, “finally won equal opportunity for the guys to make a living.” Many NBA players today don’t know that there was once a rule that a basketball player was barred from playing in the NBA until he had graduated from a four-year college or waited four years after high school graduation till his “assumed” college class graduated.

It wasn’t just the NBA that wanted to keep the four-year graduation rule in place; the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) also supported it. If outstanding player were allowed to leave college early, their schools and the NCAA would lose lots of revenue based on ticket sales and other products. If Haywood won his case, they would be losing revenue not just from basketball but also from football.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL As a 6-foot-8 power forward, Haywood tried to go pro at the end of his sophomore year at the University of Detroit but ran into the NBA’s four-year college graduation rule. But he didn’t want two more years of college play. As the Number One high school player in the U.S. (Pershing high school in Detroit), the Junior College Player of the Year (Trinidad State in Colorado), and the winner of the four 1968 Olympic awards, in his sophomore year he was named the Outstanding College Player of the Year – he was ready for the NBA. Here was an exceptionally talented guy determined to make life better for his mother who was still on her knees picking cotton for $2 a day. But his way to earning the money that would enable him to accomplish that goal for his family was blocked for two more years.

Now older and more experienced than that little boy whose only dream was to own a pair of Converse gum shoes, Haywood was inspired to have a bigger dream of equality. And true to his action-oriented personality, he wasn’t afraid to speak up and do something to change the situation. He filed an antitrust action against the NBA and became the plaintiff in Haywood v. National Basketball Association that eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971.

Above: Spencer Haywood #24 of the Washington Bullets defends an inbound pass during the game against the Boston Celtics played in 1982. Right (top to bottom): Haywood shows off the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy to a member of the military during the NBA Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy Armed Forces Tour in 2006; NBA Legends Rick Barry, Spencer Haywood, and Dave Cowens play basketball with children during an NBA Legends visit at The Memphis Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in 2005; Haywood reads to students during a NBA Read to Achieve event at Van Asselt Elementary School in 2006.

and opportunity in the NBA for the younger guys who got into the league as early entries. This includes players like Karl Malone, Magic The court’s verdict that same year Johnson, Kevin Durant, Kevin forced the NBA to cancel the rule Garnett, LeBron James and that kept a player from entering Kobe Bryant. the league before his college class graduation. This verdict is However, all this change of huge importance to today’s didn’t magically happen players because Haywood says without putting Haywood’s it enabled him to create wealth life and that of his family into 18

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total turmoil. During the time this law suit was underway, he called his experience brutal and life-threatening, even similar to baseball’s Jackie Robinson’s experience breaking the color barrier.

Haywood left college at the end of his sophomore year and signed with the ABA’s Denver Rockets and led the league in scoring (30.0) and rebounds (19.5). He earned a

regular season MVP, the AllStar Game MVP and Rookie of the Year in that one season with the ABA. But he paid a penalty for leaving school early. Even though he had been in college for an education, his own school the University of Detroit, sued him for millions of dollars at a time when he says he wasn’t even making any money.

Following his 1969-1970 season with the Rockets, Haywood finally joined the NBA when he signed with the Seattle SuperSonics. But still one year shorts of his college graduation date, the NBA said he wasn’t eligible to play and filed an injunction against him. So in 1970, with SuperSonics owner Sam Schulman, Haywood filed his anti-trust suit against the NBA. Recalling the time, Haywood says he was booed by the fans and had bottles, ice, balledup programs as well as racial slurs thrown at him by the fans at a number of NBA arenas.

Then there were the public announcements that there was an illegal player on the court where he’d be extorted off the court and the arena premises.

Intimidated by the owners, all the players were afraid to talk to him – some turned their backs on him and some of the seasoned players targeted him on the court. The result? He was totally isolated. He’s not sure the guys playing today really appreciate what he had to go through, the sacrifices he had to make to change basketball for the better for every player. This unyielding pressure took its toll on Haywood and his family ReboundTalk

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL in several ways. After moving to the New York Knicks in the mid-70s, he met and married Somali high fashion model of the 70s, Iman. He was also introduced to cocaine and got hooked. Although it took him three years to kick his addiction, he doesn’t regret it or any other of his life experiences because they’ve made him who his is today. He and Iman divorced after 10 years of marriage and he eventually married Linda, his wife now for 28 years. Living in Las Vegas, he’s the owner of Haywood Group, OOC that specializes in highend floor instillations. Through it all, Haywood says his steadying influence has been God, as well as the women in his life – his mother and sisters as well as his wife and four daughters.

Inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 and Vice Chairman on the NBRPA Board of Directors, Haywood is still a man of action, still on a mission to recruit players, both current and former, to help their own – to join the NBRPA, to be active and get involved, and to lend their names to the organization. His dream of equality still drives him. In classic Haywood style, he says “you got to do the right thing and set a good example.” In 2015, Spencer Haywood was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Although long overdue, the Hall eventually got it right. Congratulations!

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BOB HOPE PATRIOTIC HALL

THE NBPRA LOS ANGELES CHAPTER WORKS WITH OUR VETERANS Bob Hope Patriotic Hall is the home of the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, a welcomed headquarters for disabled and retired miliary. It provides counseling and assistance and acts as an advocate for veterans, their dependents and survivors regarding entitlement to beneďŹ ts under Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.

The NBRPA Los Angeles Chapter is honored to work with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the U.S. Veteran Business Alliance (USVBA) organization. A portion of the NBRPA 2018 NPA All-Star Viewing Party will be donated to this cause.

NANCY LIEBERMAN: BALLER. TRAILBLAZER. HUMANITARIAN. WINNER OR THE 2017 MANNIE JACKSON HUMAN SPIRIT AWARD “Basketball and people changed it for me. They changed the narrative of what I didn’t have to what I did have.”

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he Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced in July that NBRPA board member Nancy Lieberman was the recipient of the 2017 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award.

Bob Hurley and Dwyane Wade were also named recipients of the prestigious award, which recognizes exceptional humanitarians who have used basketball as a platform to improve the world around them, while creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Lieberman is a basketball trailblazer who has stamped her name throughout the history books. She currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in addition to her NBRPA duties.

WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman speaks with a child during the unveiling of the JW Ray Learning Center presented by HP and State Farm on June 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.

Head Coach Nancy Lieberman of the Texas Legends celebrates her teams victory over the Austin Toros on April 2, 2011 at the Cedar Park Center in Cedar Park, Texas.

Through Nancy Lieberman Charities, she is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and developing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth.

Since its inception, Nancy Lieberman Charities has served over 3 million children through a variety of programs including college scholarships, laptop and school supply giveaways, and basketball court and playground installations. Over the past 36 years, an additional 4 million children have participated in Nancy Lieberman basketball camps and clinics as well.

In 2016, Lieberman developed Kids & Cops Dream Courts, as a means to foster positive relationships between youth and Police Departments across the country, starting with 12 courts and clinics in the Dallas area. Nancy Lieberman Charities continues to be a catalyst for the development of young girls and boys throughout the country by using basketball as a motivational tool.

We sat down with Nancy to discuss the prestigious award, and her impact on and off the basketball court.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

Manni Jackson Human Spirit Award Winners Bob Hurley, Nancy Lieberman, Dwyane Wade and Mannie Jackson pose at the Bunn-Gowdy Awards Dinner as part of the 2017 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on September 7, 2017 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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What does it mean to be recognized with the Mannie Jackson award?

Undeniably, you were a force on the court. What inspires you to make such an impact off of the court?

It is an honor. It is very humbling because Mannie is not only an amazing humanitarian, he is a dear friend of mine.

With the list of all of the amazing athletes, I was like “Oh my God!” It is amazing what people are doing and how they care about other people from LeBron [James] to Michael Jordan. They are so selfless. To think that you can be a part of something so special, it’s really exciting. Mannie sets the tone for everyone and he makes you want to live your life a different way.

What inspires me is my love for children and for giving them a better view of what life can be because I was that kid. I was that poor kid with no father and no food and no heat, and one grandparent away from food stamps. That was me growing up in Far Rockaway [Queens, New York]. I didn’t like it. Basketball and people changed it for me. They changed the narrative of what I didn’t have to what I did have. I feel people’s pain and embarrassment.

I know what it’s like. It’s not fun. We want to be an agent for change. We want to do something really special. That’s all I know. I’m generation now and we have a chance to effect generation next.

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How do you see the NBRPA effecting change for athletes off the court?

WNBA retiree, Nancy Lieberman, helps host a youth clinic for the NBA and WNBA Retired Players Association on September 16, 2017 at Urban Ventures in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nancy Lieberman, then head coach of the Detroit Shock talks to her team in the huddle during the 1999 season at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan.

Nancy Lieberman, Assistant General Manager of the Texas Legends and founder of the Nancy Lieberman Foundation, shows children how to spin a basketball before presenting the second-ever U.S. DreamCourt to the Boys & Girls Club of South Austin on October 21, 2011 in Austin, Texas.

It's scary to retire. We’ve been coddled.

We’ve been told how great we are.

People have honored us for what we’ve done on the court. It is a scary thing to retire because you lose that insulation.

You’re never by yourself on a team.

There is always somebody there that is willing to help and to be a part of who and what you are. When you retire and all of a sudden a lot of that is not around you, you can really get lost. You don’t have to lose that team because you have the NBRPA who is going to be there for you no matter what you’re doing in your career.

Whether you need help, whether you want to send your kids to college with the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship, whether you need help financially, or whether you need to pick up another vocation. There it is. There is something special about being a part of a team.

From our event at Mohegan Sun, that’s pretty cool stuff to say that we could be in a room together with legendary athletes and people that are just a very important part of the game.

What is one thing all athletes should know as they prepare for their next career?

You're not alone. You have a brotherhood and a sisterhood of people all around you that would be there for you. Bernard King and I never played against or with each other but… we are teammates in life. We are not just loving friends who grew up in New York. We are doing life together. Mike Glenn and I are doing life together.

Dwight Davis and I are doing life together. Jerome Junkyard Dog and I are doing life together. I miss these guys that we lost. We are so blessed to have each other. And women too!

We are learning that our brothers care about us.

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LEGENDS of BASKETBALL

THE JONES FAMILY LEGACY

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ne of the greatest risk factors for prostate cancer is family history – whether it is a father, grandfather, uncle, son or brother with the disease, the likelihood of facing a diagnosis doubles. This risk is further increased if the cancer was diagnosed in a family member at a younger age, 55 years of age or younger, or if it affected three or more family members.

For the Jones family – the odds were against them – beginning in 1987 when Caldwelll Jones Senior, a father of eight (seven boys and one daughter), was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 75.

cancer. Six are retired basketball players who were drafted by the National Basketball Association. A love for the game of basketball required each man, all of whom were over 6’7” tall, to stay physically fit and healthy. Despite their efforts to stay active through a life of playing basketball and staying active, genetics were not in their favor. Of the seven brothers, Caldwell, Major, Oliver and Clinton – four in total – were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Caldwell Jr. was the first son to be diagnosed at the age of 48. After learning about his course of treatment action, The Jones brothers, Caldwell, which included prostate Major, Oliver, Wilbert, Charles, surgery, he had a serious Melvin and Clinton, have more conversation with his doctor. in common that merely DNA The doctor informed him of and a father with prostate the increased risk of family 28

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members being diagnosed and how vital it was for him to use his voice and communicate with his family. At the time of his diagnosis,the brothers were geographically located across the country, all managing families and careers, but took the news of their brother’s diagnosis very seriously.

“The brothers all got on the phone, vocalizing concerns about Caldwell. Early detection was the key to his beating prostate cancer, and each brother made a commitment to visit their doctor for a routine screening,” shared Renee Taplin-Jones, Major Jones’ wife. “And thank God that they did, because three other brothers were diagnosed with it. This family has a lot more than a legacy of professional basketball; they have a

Left to right: Caldwell Jones #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers circa 1977; Major Jones #11 of the Houston Rockets circa 1982; Charles Jones #23 of the Washington Bullets circa 1990; The Jones Family accepted the Athletics Award at the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia in 2015.

legacy of fighting prostate cancer.”Luckily, through early detection and dialogue, all four brothers are cancer-free.

A cancer diagnosis has taught each brother a different and unique lesson, though the underlining lesson remains the same: make prostate cancer something to talk about.

With a career in the NBA behind each of them, the brothers are utilizing their successful recoveries to make prostate cancer a better understood disease. Major Jones, a former Houston Rocket and Detroit Piston, is currently the President of the National Basketball Retired Players Association – Houston Chapter where he not only informs chapter members, but other local community members that prostate cancer doesn’t have to be fatal if detected early.

“My brothers and I are living proof that early detection saves lives and prostate cancer doesn’t have to be fatal,” stated Major Jones.

Education is the first step in tackling prostate cancer. Here are the key risk factors you should know: • Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65.

• Race: African-American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.

• Family History / Genetics: A man with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease. This risk is further increased if the cancer was diagnosed in family members at a younger age (less than 55 years of age), or if it affected three more family members.

• Where you live: For men in the US, the risk of developing prostate cancer is 17 percent. For men in rural China, it’s 2 percent. However, when Chinese men move to the western culture, their risk increases substantially.

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SPOTLIGHTS

Above: Panel discussion with Rev. C.T. Vivian, Edwin Moses, Doug Shipman, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Joe Barry Carroll at annual luncheon. Right: Joe Barry Carroll #11 of the Denver Nuggets shoots against the Atlanta Hawks during a game played circa 1990 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.

JOE BARRY CARROLL: CHAMPION OF JUSTICE WINNER OF HE HANK AARON CHAMPION FOR JUSTICE AWARD

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he Atlanta Braves and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights collaborated for the Delta Air Lines Champions Luncheon where NBRPA Member Joe Barry Carroll received the Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Award.

The award, given to outstanding individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to overcoming industry obstacles and inspiring future generations. Awardees also participated in a panel discussion on the role of athletes in challenging discrimination and societal barriers.

The on-field award ceremony took place prior to a Braves’ game at Turner Field.

Carroll, the seven-foot-tall No 1 overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, played professionally for eleven years with NBA totals of 12,455 points, 5,404 rebound, 1,264 assists and 1,122 blocked shots, which included a career high average of 24 points in the 1983-84 season.

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At the age of 26, Carroll established the BroadView Foundation to financially support and participate in organizations and programs that serve lower socio-economic groups and individuals in communities of color. In addition to establishing college scholarships, Carroll and BroadView have funded after-school programs, elder care, Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Lenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Task Force for the Homeless, The Georgia Innocence Project, and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR station. He also serves as a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA).

“I am naturally flattered by this award, but in the larger way, I feel that the Atlanta Braves and Center for Civil and Human Rights are not only recognizing my contributions to the community and the Georgia Innocence Project,

but more precisely the incredible work that GIP is doing in their movement to free innocent men and women, (poor and mostly of color), from unjust incarceration,” Carroll said after learning he would receive the award.

In 2013 Carroll expanded his support of The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) by fully funding the annual salary of a full-time office manager. In 2014 he dedicated the proceeds of his memoir, “Growing Up …

In Words and Images” (2014) to fund GIP and other selected nonprofit entities. “Growing Up” is a 270-page coffee table book that uses Carroll’s original paintings and his unique southern literary style to explore his journey growing up as the tenth of thirteen children to become a sevenfoot-tall NBA player, wealth advisor, philanthropist, painter and writer. Copies of “Growing Up”… In Words and Images” was presented as gifts at the luncheon.

The 2014 Hank Aaron Champion for Justice awardees included: Joe Barry Carroll, retired NBA All Star; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; Edwin Moses, former track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; and Reverend C.T. Vivian, civil rights legend and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

For more information visit www.

CivilandHumanRights.org/ Act/EventCalendar/index.html For more information about Joe Barry Carroll and “Growing UP … IN Words and Images” visit www.JoeBarryCarroll.com.

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SPOTLIGHTS

JAMES DONALDSON:

BIG HEART WITH BIG DREAMS

F

ifty years after an assassin’s bullet ended Dr. Martin Luther King’s protest against the “shameful conditions” in which millions of youth are raised, the heart of King lives on, and his “dream” of an Inclusive America remains strong.

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“I woke up this morning listening to the sermon, ‘Where Do We Go from Here’ by Martin Luther King Jr,” wrote James Donaldson in his blog, Standing Above the Crowd, on Jan 14, 2018. “It still amazes me how relevant his speeches and sermons are in today’s world, since he first spoke them over 50 years ago. The thing that most put a smile on my face was he reminded me that ‘I am somebody.’

Left: James Donaldson #40 of the Seattle Supersonics shoots against the New Jersey Nets circa 1980 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Above: James Donaldson #40 of the Dallas Mavericks jumps for the opening tip-off against Bill Walton #5 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1986 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fifty years of athletes and entertainers have been inspired

by King, from Muhammed Ali to numerous NFL and NBA players today. In turn, many student-athletes across the nation have also been inspired to demonstrate their own desires for equitable opportunities to pursue their dreams.

LIVING HIS DREAM – HELPING OTHERS LIVE THEIRS James Donaldson, at age 60, is keeping that dream alive for millions of student-athletes who work hard in pursuit of their goals. But Donaldson knows there’s still plenty of time left on the clock when the sports dream ends for

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each player. And far too many professional and studentathletes are ill-prepared to overcome challenges in the biggest game of all: life. This is arena in which the 7’2” former NBA All Star has dedicated his big heart.

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SPOTLIGHTS Donaldson’s desire to make a difference for his fellow professional athletes after their playing days, and young student-athletes still on their journey through the pipeline, is the foundation upon which he and his team are building a startup company called, “Athletes Playbook.”

ATHLETES PLAYBOOK – ATHLETES HELPING ATHLETES Athletes Playbook is recruiting a community of former professional athletes to work with professionals in the fields of mentoring and educational resources that help studentathletes pursue their dreams of high achievement in life beyond sports. It has a threeprong approach.

1) It reaches student-athletes, parents and coaches through its online media platform AthletesPlaybook.com.

2) It engages student-athletes and connects them with former professionals face-to-face in offline events.

3) It provides mentoring and education resources to student-athletes through its membership program.

Of the 50 greatest NBA stars the game had ever known in his era, James Donaldson played with or against 37 of them during his 20-year career, spanning five NBA teams. He even played against Michael Jordan in the 1988 All Star Game. Donaldson has lived a life of which millions of young athletes can only dream.

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Each year, more than 44 million student-athletes play sports.

More than 99 percent will never play at the professional level.

Yet, all will play in the arena of life. Donaldson believes sports can be a training ground that prepares and equips student-athletes to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals in life. Many of America’s top CEOs believe it too. An astounding 95 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs were former collegiate athletes.

BIG HEART FOR COMMUNITY – HEALTH AND HEALING When Donaldson left the NBA, he pursued his dream of opening the The Donaldson Clinic in an under-served area of Seattle to nurture the health of its residents. Ironically, it was Donaldson’s own health that recently took a dramatic turn for the worse.

“I’ve always had a heart for the community,” Donaldson said.

“About three years ago, my heart actually failed on me. I drove to the doctor’s office clutching my chest in severe pain and not quite understanding what was going on.”

Donaldson spent more than two months in the hospital while a team of doctors, surgeons and nurses worked around the clock to save his heart.

Today, as CEO of Athletes Playbook, he is more determined than ever to build a 21st century mentoring platform that connects former professional athletes with millions of studentathletes to encourage and guide them in designing their personal playbook for success in life beyond sports.

LENNY WILKENS – LEGENDARY ADVICE Hall of Fame NBA player and coach, Lenny Wilkens believes the Athletes Playbook can make a difference in the lives of student-athletes.

“I think that so many young athletes come in [to the NBA] and make a lot of money, but they never think about they could get hurt or their career could end,” Lenny Wilkens said in a video for the Athletes Playbook.

Above: James Donaldson #40 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 3, 1992 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.

Below: Head coach Lenny Wilkens, advocate of James Donaldson’s vision, reacts during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 8, 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lenny Wilkens was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame as both player and coach.

“Nothing wrong with dreaming, but dream big dreams and expand them … because everybody can’t be a great athlete or have a huge long career.

It’s people who were there, with experience, who can talk to young people and relate to them and what they’re going through and what the future can be. I went through all these things they’re going through. James went through these things they are going through.”

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL – DONALDSON’S IMPACT IN CHINA Donaldson also has big dreams for Athletes Playbook. For years he’s been developing strong relationships in China. Through his business contacts, he has helped former NBA stars access opportunities to play in cities of which most have never heard, and reach massive audiences eager to see their talents on display. Donaldson is so popular in China he’s been interviewed twice as a featured guest on the Chinese equivalent of Oprah, Chen Luyu, whose 140 million daily viewers is exponentially larger than Oprah’s.

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SPOTLIGHTS James Donaldson with his wife, Mei Rong, are featured guests on the most popular talk show in China, Chen Luyu (right). The show has 140 million daily viewers.

Student-athletes around the world look up to professional athletes and US professionals are considered around the globe as elite. Donaldson’s big goal is to establish a solid footing for Athletes Playbook, region by region in the United States, and then expand it internationally to reach hundreds of millions of student-athletes, parents and coaches.

STILL LEADING – AFTER ALL THESE YEARS Leadership is a core quality every coach, elite player and company CEO must possess. Donaldson has demonstrated such leadership throughout his life, his playing days, and in retirement as a board member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA). Donaldson’s dream of uniting former professional players with student-athletes across America follows the inspiration from Dr. King that still fills his heart and fuels his energy for the journey ahead.

He is still “somebody” making a difference today.

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SPOTLIGHTS

LA RUE MARTIN: BASKETBALL & LIFE AFTER Oregon and quickly rose through the ranks securing roles in Customer Service, Employee Relations and Human Resources. In his current role as Manager of Community Relations and Public Affairs Mr. Martin is responsible for advancing the company's reputation and supporting key business priorities through the development of proactive and reactive communications strategies. He also coordinates educational initiatives and community sponsorship events and programs and identifies engagement opportunities to maximize UPS's presence in the community. As a result Mr. Martin has forged strong working relationships with business, community and political leaders across the State of Illinois.

L

a Rue Martin, Jr., was the NBA’s number one draft pick for the Portland Trailblazers in 1972. For many years, Martin has been an integral part of helping advance the National Basketball Retired Players Association serving on the Board of Directors, giving back to communities, and being a shining example of a successful

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transition into life after playing professional basketball. As a part of his transition, he is currently Manager of Community Relations/Public Affairs for United Parcel Service, UPS, a publicly traded Fortune 500 company.

He joined UPS in 1987 as a delivery driver in Portland,

Prior to joining UPS Mr. Martin had a NBA career as the first draft choice for the Portland Trailblazers in 1972.

After four (4) years with the Trailblazers, Martin was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics.

A native of Chicago, Mr. Martin was recruited to play college basketball with Loyola University on a full athletic scholarship where he was twice named All-American athlete in men’s basketball and Loyola's all-time leading rebounder. His number 20 basketball jersey with Loyola University was retired in 2002.

As a result of his successful transition from a basketball career to corporate America, Mr. Martin is a nationally sought after speaker addressing athletes across the country about “life after basketball” and the significance of having a career strategy off the courts.

He has been interviewed by Bryan Gumbel, host of “Real Sports with Bryan Gumbel” and showcased on ABC7 “Heart and Soul”.

Mr. Martin has received numerous awards for his service to the community, including the Leadership in Community Relations Award from the Human Resources Development Institute, Chicago Urban League Beautiful People Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, and the Black Heritage Award.

His board memberships and civic affiliations include City Club of Chicago, YMCA Mentoring Program, the African American Advisory Council of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, the Urban League of N.W. Indiana, M.L.K. Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, The Leverage Network, NBA Retired Players Association Board of Directors, and De La Salle H.S. Board of Directors.

Mr. Martin attended De La Salle High School and Loyola University of Chicago where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He currently resides in Chicago, IL.

successes at UPS, he said he would be happy to, but wanted to When Rebound asked Mr. make sure that his friend and President of UPS West Region, Martin if he would agree George A. Willis was allowed to take some of the credit for to share his story about his helping with his successes. So, for you LaRue: Here it goes …

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SPOTLIGHTS George Willis is the President of UPS West Region. He is responsible for all package delivery operations in 25 U.S. central and western states where UPS delivers and picks up more than 16 million packages and documents each day and has over 160,000 employees in the region.

George has held a number of positions at UPS during a more than 30-year career with the company. His most recent assignment was Managing Director for the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland, which encompassed more than 9,600 employees, 80 facilities and a fleet of 2,800 vehicles. Previously, George also served as Vice President of U.S. Operations. Along with the responsibility for delivering the domestic network of packages and documents, he had responsibility for The UPS Store franchise network.

George began his UPS career in 1984 as a parttime package handler in Georgia. His uncommon

advantage of “growing up” with UPS, has given him a rare perspective on the connection between the corporation and its people.

George holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Trinity State University and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta.

He also participated in the INSEAD Business School, Columbia Executive Education Program and Yale CEO College Program. He currently serves on the board of CARE USA, a leading humanitarian organization that fights global poverty and provides lifesaving assistance in emergencies.

Rebound and LaRue Martin thanks Mr. Willis for recognizing that hard and tireless work pays off. Our brothers and sisters in basketball each fought hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport. These skills obviously transfer easily to successes in the “REAL WORLD!” To me, this proves that due to LaRue’s success at UPS, other very viable candidates should be found right here in our membership if they choose to pursue a job with UPS.

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TOM MESCHERY

WE MADE THIS GAME RENAISSANCE MAN: PLAYER. POET. TEACHER.

“The game really didn’t get going until Rudy and I (Meschery) started a fist fight.” ...Elgin Baylor...

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T

om Meschery was known for his tenacious defense.

“If I couldn’t stop you I would foul you. I was a finesse player.” Meschery jokes. Due to his aggressive style of play, he led the NBA in personal fouls in 1962 and that led to an NBA All-Star appearance in ’63respect earned.

To parents fleeing the Bolsheviks in WWI era Russia, Thomislav Nikoloyevich Meshcheryakov was born in Harbin, Manchuria, China on October 26th 1938. He and his family were relocated to a concentration camp in Tokyo, JapanduringWWII.Afterthewar, the family name became Meschery due to the McCarthy era “Red Scare”. Thomas Nicholas immigrated with his mother to San Francisco after World War II , following his father who already made the journey.

Giving mentoring credit to basketball player, teacher and elementary playground director Cap Lavin, the father of Steve Lavin, former head coach at St. John’s University, Meschery remembers Cappy for teaching him the game of basketball and inspiring his interest in writing. Later in life, both shared the same profession: English teacher.

acquired Rick Barry and it was clear that Tom’s new way of scoring would be to get some offensive rebounds, as Barry would handle most of the rest of the scoring. “Back then, we had some real battles between the Warriors and the Lakers,” Meschery shared, “Elgin Baylor Tom explained that this was used to say ‘the game really a transition era of the NBA. didn’t get going until Rudy and Chamberlain, Russell, West, I started a fist fight!’”

Havlicek, and Robertson were While attending Lowell High to become the early versions As a self-described role player, School in San Francisco, of Jordan, Magic and Bird Tom reminisced about how Meschery began his journey in the 80’s. He talked about he traveled from game to as an aggressive basketball his second year playing for game in the 60’s. “My rookie player. As a dominant scorer the San Francisco Warriors year we played 13 straight and rebounder, his style on where he averaged 15 points games against the St. Louis defense led to All-American and over 12 rebounds. During Hawks, traveling together honors in 1956. his third year, the Warriors in the same airplane around He then took his talents to the Gaels of St. Mary’s College, where his jersey was retired. In 1961 he was drafted in the NBA by the Philadelphia Warriors at No. 7 overall. Tom played alongside NBA greats like Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry.

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SPOTLIGHTS small Midwest towns,” Tom said. “We never traveled first class. Wilt always got a bunker seat, but the rest of us rode with our knees to our chins. Buses and trains were also part of the travel. Back then, we played the same number of games as today, but more games against each other.”

After ten years of professional basketball Tom retired. He, like all professional athletes, struggled with the transition. For 5 years he ran a book store in Truckee, California and was “not a happy camper.” He continued to struggle until he was introduced to teaching. Teaching changed his life forever.

“When I found teaching, I knew I got ahold of something special,” Tom explains, “teaching keeps me young and vibrant.”

After earning a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Iowa and studying under famed poet Mark Strand, he went on to teach high school English in Reno, Nevada for 25 years. He has written poetry and his most recent publication, Sweat, is a book of new and selected poems about sports. By the time he retired from teaching, he was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame. This should not be a huge surprise as his mother’s maiden name was Tolstoy, which makes him a direct relative of famed Russian writers, Leo Tolstoy and Aleksey Tolstoy, true writer’s royalty.

Meschery continues to teach. When asked to share advice for a player playing today, he said “to play defense.” “And get ready for retirement. Start preparing little by little and get involved with planning for the future and retirement.”

As we ended our conversation, Tom Meschery, a proud and humble man, wanted to share one last piece of advice for professional athletes everywhere. He believes that more retired pro athletes should look into teaching. It is truly a way to give back and help your fellow human beings.

“Let’s get these young basketball players interested in the career of teaching.”

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THE LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE RECAP

THE LEGENDS PARTY CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

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ach year, the NBRPA hosts the annual Legends World Sports Conference to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, set the agenda for the following year and to network and commune with friends and colleagues. With service and leadership a huge part of the mission, each year there is a Legends Party. This year in Cabo San Lucas was no different. Everyone dressed in white and had a great time.

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THE LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE RECAP

THE LEGENDS PARTY CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

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THE LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE RECAP

THE LEGENDS PARTY CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

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FEATURES

CHAPTER UPDATES T

he NBRPA Legends of Basketball have Chapters all over the United States whose goal is to improve their local communities and communities around the world one helping hand at a time. If you would like to contribute, please contact your local chapter.

MIAMI CHAPTER UPDATE

MIAMI CHAPTER

O

n October 2nd, 2017 the NBRPA Miami Chapter held it's inaugural Jr. NBA Basketball Clinic at the beautiful Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida! In partnership with the Jr. NBA, the City of Miami Gardens, and the Miami Gardens Police Athletic League, 100 local boys and girls had the unique opportunity to receive FREE basketball instruction from NBA Champion Wali Jones, NBA and ABA standout Lamar Green, NBA All Star Jayson Williams, former Los Angeles Laker and NBA scout Irving Thomas, NCAA Champion Drew Nicholas, and International Basketball Association star Terrence Green!

All participants received a Jr. NBA T-shirt, a Jr. NBA backpack, Jr. NBA wristbands, basketballs, and more! The Miami Chapter would like to officially thank the NBA, the Jr. NBA, and the James Jones Foundation for their continued support of the Miami Chapter!

And finally, the Miami Chapter is proud to announce the recipients of our 2017 Reading and Hunger In Our Cities grants! The $2,000 Reading Grant has been awarded to the Trayvon Martin Foundation Inc. in support their hard work in the community and wonderful reading initiatives across South Florida. Our 2017 Hunger In Our Cities Grant has been awarded to the Police Athletic League of Miami Gardens! The $1,000 grant supported the annual "PAL Turkey Drive" where hundreds of free turkeys were provided to families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday!

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CHICAGO CHAPTER UPDATE • Ongoing visits to local Children’s Hospital: This includes a giant panda teddy bear or the Cat in the Hat with

mentoring sessions, photo opportunities, autographs and discussions of citizenship responsibility.

• Easter Food Bag Donations in partnership with the Police Athletic League, Chicago Urban League, neighborhood community services and churches.

• 6th Annual Golf Fundraiser in June • The Chicago Chapter Basketball Camp in August • DePaul University partner includes a donation of hundreds of tickets from Chicago White Sox Charitable Administration

DALLAS CHAPTER UPDATE T

he Dallas chapter of the NBRPA recently reached out to Fort Worth with gifts of turkeys for needy families. Whole Foods Market, Ben E. Keith Beverages, the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Ft. Worth and Stop the Violence, Inc. made the financial contributions that made this event possible. Those in attendance included Fort Worth’s mayor, Betsy Price, NBRPA chapter president Willie Davis, Steffond Johnson, Morlon Wiley, Micheal Williams, Genai Walker-Macklin, Sam Perkins, Cincy Powell and Eugene Kennedy.

NEW YORK METRO CHAPTER UPDATE T

he New York Metro Chapter continues to be busy. We are continually finding ways to give back locally and world wide. On a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, Dirk Nowitzki, Ron Tripplee , and Tom Hoover gave back to local kids. Chapter members also gave school supplies to children in need in Mali and NY Metro Chapter’s annual Thanksgiving feast serving 400 students at Eagle Academy. With meals to take home, over 2000 people were served meals!

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LOS ANGELES CHAPTER UPDATE L

os Angeles Chapter with the assistance of Giving Children Hope, Aqua Pacifica Water and Athletes’ N Education sent off a 53 foot truckload of water food and supplies to help the Houston area people and the Houston Chapter. Another truckload went to Florida as well.

Vicki Brenner-Darnell, Rick Darnell and Michael Cage sending a truckload of water, food and supplies to help Houston and South Florida through the hurricane disasters.

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For 25 y ears, Givin g C h ildren Hope h as been servin g our n eigh bors across t h e st reet an d aroun d t h e world t h rough food, m edical supplies an d basic n eeds. To don at e or learn m ore about Givin g C h ildren Hope, visit www.givin gch ildren h ope.org.

Givin g C h ildren Hope would lik e t o t h an k t h e N at ion al B ask et ball Ret ired Play ers A ssociat ion for t h eir con t in ued support wit h our disast er relief effort s.

FEATURES Additionally Mr. Shah personally discussed immigration proposals pertaining to highly crucial Green Card and H-1b legislation for the United States with both President Clinton and President Bush during their presidential terms. For the past two decades, Mr. Shah has also been actively involved with Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama during their presidential terms as well as with many other top political leaders in the United States.

BRINGING THE NBA TO INDIA "India and its 1.3 billion population is the next big destination for basketball in terms of fan base growth and endorsement potential,� claims newly minted NBA Sports Agent Paresh A. Shah, owner of Los Angeles based Premier Athletes Agency, LLC. "Despite the fact that India is the world's biggest democracy in addition to its majority English speaking population, it baffles me how the NBA continues to have such a limited presence there. We have arrived to hopefully change that,� Shah continues.

Simply put, Paresh A. Shah has always been one to create change and make noise at a global level as a powerhouse in both the political and entertainment industries. He began his career as a successful business attorney specializing in obtaining work visas for immigrants and non-immigrants in the United States.

Over the years, Mr. Shah represented thousands of individual, small and large corporation clients, allowing them to receive their immigration benefits in the United States.

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In the Year 2000, Mr. Shah was honored to be a member of an exclusive 45 member US delegation selected by the White House that accompanied President Bill Clinton to India.

This historic visit by President Clinton to India, accompanied by the top level delegation including Mr. Shah, not only resulted in tens of billions of dollars in projects between India and USA, but also rejuvenated relations between these two countries, the two largest democracies in the world. Additionally, Mr. Shah, as the youngest person and only second generation Indian American on the delegation, developed political, business and entertainment relations at the highest level of India and the subcontinent which have continued to the present.

While making his groundbreaking changes in the political field and significant lobbying efforts in the immigration arena which are well recognized, in 2005 Mr. Shah decided to steer his bridging of global cultures in a new direction, the entertainment industry. He co-founded and co-created the

celebrity media company Hollywood.TV. Since its formation Hollywood.TV has been an extremely popular celebrity media outlet delivering compelling, up to the minute news and celebrity content, which has been seen in over 120 countries and by over two billion viewers worldwide. Hollywood.TV's biggest breaking news celebrity story was its coverage of Michael Jackson's death - Hollywood.TV was the first media organization in the world at the scene of this unfortunate event. Hollywood.TV's exclusive video of Michael Jackson's ambulance leaving the house continues to be shown around the world to this day.

It was at this time, Mr. Shah began his biggest challenge to date, his effort to help merge the two biggest film industries in the world, Hollywood and Bollywood (the Indian Film Industry) with its combined 3.5 billion worldwide fans.

In 2014, Mr. Shah had the honor of bringing Hollywood legend John Travolta to IIFA (the International Indian Film Academy) which is one of Bollywood's biggest award shows, which was being held in the United States for the first time in its history. The show was viewed on television by an astounding 600 million people worldwide and John Travolta received India's highest award as India's all-time favorite Hollywood celebrity at the event.

Currently Mr. Shah and his company, Hollywood Bollywood Entertainment in conjunction with Indian partner Brainstorm Entertainment have created their own Bollywood award show, the Indian Academy Awards, which they are bringing to Mauritius in 2018. Mr. Shah and his partner are next planning to bring the Indian Academy Awards to the United States in 2019. The biggest Bollywood star in the world Shahrukh Khan will appear and perform at the award show in Mauritius and the show will be televised in front of hundreds of millions around the world. Besides Shahrukh Khan, the top brass of Bollywood entertainment will appear at the Mauritius award event. The 2019 Indian Academy Awards in the United States will not only connect the biggest stars and athletes in Hollywood and Bollywood, but will once again

create cultural and business tie-ups between the United States and India at unprecedented levels.

Finally, Mr. Shah is also a Partner and Executive Producer with City Drive, LLC which is a TV production company owning the wildly popular Landmarks Live television show currently on PBS. Landmarks Live is in its first season and the show involves the biggest singers and bands in the world being taken to various landmark locations around the world to perform. Season One of Landmarks Live has thus far featured Andrea Bocelli performing in Italy, Alicia Keys in New York, Brad Paisley in West Virginia, the Kings of Leon in Memphis and Foo Fighters at the Acropolis in Greece.

With regards to the NBA and India, Mr. Shah noted that NBA superstar Kevin Durant recently visited India in July 2017 and first hand saw the incredible excitement and potential power of the NBA in India. Specifically Kevin Durant conducted a basketball camp and an incredible 3,459 kids attended the camp at multiple venues across India setting a new Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest basketball lesson ever held. "Sharing my love of basketball with thousands of boys and girls across India was an unbelievable experience," said Durant.

That single event was the perfect snapshot of the potential power of the NBA in India, said Mr. Shah. "The time has now come to turn that potential power into financial reality for the NBA.” LA Chapter President Rick Darnell states, “The LA Chapter is excited to work with Mr. Shah in regards to bringing this power to the NBA.”

PLEASE VISIT: WWW.SHAHLAW.COM

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TO MY FELLOW MEMBERS, First, I am very grateful to the NBRPA and the Dave Debusschere Scholarship program for helping my daughter Ashley complete her college education. We are extremely thankful. Ashley graduated with Honors from Florida Gulf Coast University Business School. I am very proud of her.

Her journey now continues with a wonderful company, PAX Labs. This is an excellent company and I cannot praise them enough. She loves her career and is doing great. The PAX products are sensational. I am using them to take my medication for my knees & hips. It is helping me quite a bit and is allowing me to stay active & healthy. Many of my golfing buddies have gotten off of the pain killers & opioids; their lives have changed for the better. Ashley is helping me and wants to give back to the NBRPA. To watch her help my Basketball family makes me overjoyed.

Please contact me if you have any questions. chubinsteve@gmail.com

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FEATURES

DOC GREEN’S HEALING COLLECTIVE WHAT ARE CANNABIS TOPICALS? HOW DO TOPICALS WORK? Cannabis topicals have been steadily increasing in popularity, and for good reason. When used on the skin, cannabis-infused products like lotions and creams have many benefits.

California cannabis product manufacturers Doc Green’s has been crafting topical cannabis healing products since 2009. Their Therapeutic Healing Cream was one of the very first branded topical cannabis products on the market. After almost a decade of experience seeing the effects these products have on people’s ailments and lives, they believe cannabis topicals are one of the greatest underutilized realms of natural healing and wellness-care.

“Both pain and inflammation respond astonishingly well to topical cannabinoid treatment” observes Ramona Rubin, one of the founders of Doc Green’s Healing Collective.

Doc Green’s Therapeutic Healing Cream earned the High Times Cannabis Cup “Best Non-Edible Medically Infused Product” in 2013. It was the first time a topical cannabis product won an award.

One of the main advantage of using cannabis topically is that you can achieve a lessening of symptoms without any psychological effects.

And unlike with opiates, there is no build-up of tolerance. This means that a treatment that works, will continue to work. There is no need to increase your dosage only to find yourself foggy from pain meds.

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Topically applied cannabis products exert their effects on the cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. Cannabinoid receptors come in two main forms. CB1 receptors found primarily in the brain and the nervous system influence cognitive states including pain perception, while CB2 receptors in the periphery work to reduce both inflammation and pain when activated. The human body produces classes of cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids that signal this receptor system. When stimulated by plant cannabinoids, these receptors respond similarly. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to these receptors, while cannabidiol (CBD) slows down the enzymes that remove cannabinoids from the receptors.

Topical application can have dramatic effects relieving many varied conditions. Spasms can often be completely relieved almost instantly.

Pain, muscle soreness, joint pain and itching have all demonstrated positive response to topical delivery. The sooner they are applied the quicker they can work, and after injuries or even before a strenuous workout they can reduce muscle soreness or aches.

The cannabinoids in topical products are generally used by the receptors or broken down by enzymes before they have an opportunity to enter the bloodstream. This means that generally only imperceptible trace amounts may move across the blood-brain barrier causing psychoactive effects.

Additionally, a study published in the journal Forensic Science International in 2017 found that THC does not show up in blood or urine tests after consistent use of THC-based topical products.

This means that people subject to drug testing may use cannabis containing products topically without the fear of failing a drug test.

HOW TO USE CANNABIS TOPICALS Topicals are incredibly easy to incorporate into your daily routine. It’s as simple as rubbing a topical product onto any area that might be in pain, including sore muscles post-workout, itchiness from skin conditions such as eczema, or even joint pain from arthritis. It is an incredibly effective way to target a localized pain. Elie Green, a co-founder of Doc Green’s Healing Collective describes it this way, “if your elbow hurts, you can eat a cannabis brownie and it’ll go through your digestive system and enter your bloodstream and reach all parts of your body. Or, you can rub lotion on your elbow where it hurts and almost instantaneously you get a localized effect—very quickly and very effectively, and without any psychoactive effect.”

Topicals can be used liberally and often because there is no risk of overuse or abuse. Doc Green’s recommends new users start with a small fingertip of its Healing Cream to gauge how much they need. The effects last one to four hours, but the lotion can be reapplied as much as needed thanks to “a complete lack of side effects”—unless you count “very soft skin” as a side effect.

The best time to use it is right after injury or muscle strain, or even right before in a preventative fashion. Research in the polypharmacology of cannabis and opioids has shown a potentiating effect. This means that if someone has a prescription for opioids but takes it together with cannabis, the effect will be stronger than with the opioid alone.

This is good news for anyone concerned with the negative side effects of opioid painkillers. Working

together with a sympathetic physician it may be possible to achieve the same lasting pain control with a lower dose of pharmaceuticals and a cannabis topical. Many users of Doc Green’s have reported being able to completely stop taking their prescription drugs by achieving symptom relief with topical cannabis alone.

Topicals can be a go-to source for many common ailments. In addition to injuries, aches, pains, cramps, spasms, and sore muscles, they can be used to relieve headaches, insect bites and stings, pain from gout, and more.

ABOUT DOC GREEN’S PRODUCTS Doc Green’s topicals are made from raw extracts, so they are rich in THC-a, the antiinflammatory and non-psychoactive form of THC. Doc Green’s Therapeutic Healing Cream features cannabis infused fair trade shea butter designed to soothe and ease inflammation and injuries. Available in three all-natural fragrance options; lavender, vanilla and unscented, the non-greasy lotion absorbs quickly into the skin. It can be reapplied as needed to relieve aches and pains, or used as a daily moisturizer or stress preventative.

Doc Green’s Canna Balm is our strongest most potent topical with over 500mg of active cannabinoids per ounce jar container.

The Balm features our pure, raw, solventless cannabis flower CO2 concentrate with organic olive oil and high-quality healing bee products including propolis and bee pollen, as well as myrrh resins and quality essential oils known for antifungal, antibacterial and healingstimulating properties. Use it for injuries to both the skin surface and deeper muscle injuries. It is especially suited to burns, abrasions, irritated skin conditions, infection control, or conditions where the strongest topical is required.

Despite being one of the safest and easiest methods of use, cannabis topicals are one of the lesser known and utilized. “The prohibition mentality has dominated,” Rubin says.

“We’ve forgotten a lot of common uses for this medicinal plant. We need a big education campaign. Topicals are one of the first forms of cannabis people should be exposed to.”

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