Rebound Magazine LWSC 2015 Volume 4 Issue 2

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

LWSC 2015 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

EARL LLOYD REMEMBERED

ALSO INSIDE: NBA CARES, LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE, Q&A WITH BOB ELLIOTT, AND MUCH MORE!

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LSCW 2015 | Volume 4 Issue 2

FEATURES 06 28

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MAGAZINE 10 BOB ELLIOT

Q&A with Bob Elliot Legends World Sports Conference Schedule of Events NBA Cares: Legend & Full Court Press Earl Lloyd Honored

DEPARTMENTS Legend of the Court: 06 Q&A with Bob Elliot 10 Sidney Moncrief We Made This Game 20 Jim “Loscy” Loscutoff 24 Teresa Weatherspoon 34 Lance Allred Community: Giving Back 32 NBA Cares: Legends & Full Court Press:

Prep For Success 38 Bill Russell for EarQ 40 Bobby Hunter for EarQ 41 NBRPA Goodwill Trip to Haiti Success Insider 53 Security & Identity Theft

THIS ISSUE 3 Fish Talks Legends World Sports Conference—Matt Fish 5 Welcome to Las Vegas—

Arnie D. Fielkow 30 Globetrotter Documentary wins Emmy 41 NBRPA Newsroom 54 Forever Legends 2

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FROM REBOUND MAGAZINE

FISH TALK The 2015 Legends World Sports Conference is in Las Vegas! This year it is being held at New York-New York Hotel and Casino. Getting this type of premier event together takes months of planning, so in June of 2015, I began a 6 month member internship at NBRPA corporate office. Now that I better understand what happens behind the scenes, I have had a larger part in helping with this event. I always knew that there are many moving parts to put on events like this, and I’ve learned firsthand just how many there actually are. I am impressed by the great work the small staff at the NBRPA office can accomplish.

Large events like this take months of planning, especially when understaffed. The planning includes a site visit, room assignments, a variety of leveled credentials, logistics, and the need to satisfy members, sponsors and their guests. Quality control for a variety of member benefitting breakout sessions is also part of the equation. There are breakfasts, lunches and dinners to coordinate. There are also parties, meetings and gift bags to fill and on and on.

I have a ton of respect for the amount of work that has to be done to accomplish a well-run event. I am not saying that every event the NBRPA has put on has been the equivalent of the Oscars, but they do continue to improve. The conference has been the most helpful for the membership during my decade as a member. I know that we don’t always agree on how things are run for NBRPA, but that is true for any organization; sometimes differences of opinion are healthy. You cannot always satisfy everyone.

I would like to give a shout out to Rebound’s sponsor in New York, Talk2Legends.

This is an app that pays you to video chat with your fans. If any of you have interest in finding out more, email me: mattfish@reboundmagazine.com. I would also like to thank Jonathan Miller, founder of SFAA, Rebound’s LWSC sponsor. Sports Financial Advisory Association (SFAA) combats the lack of financial education that exists in the world with an emphasis on sports.

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NBRPA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 | LWSC 2015 NBRPA REBOUND MAGAZINE PUBLISHER/CEO Matthew Fish mattfish@reboundmagazine.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Dan Klaudt danklaudt@reboundmagazine.com ART DIRECTOR Kate Tressler kate@katalystgraphicdesign.com CONSULTANT Larry Pond lpond2@cox.net WRITERS Michael Vayan MichaelVayan@reboundmagazine.com Bob Huhn BobHuhn@reboundmagazine.com SALES EDITORIAL editorial@reboundmagazine.com ADVERTISE advertise@reboundmagazine.com NBRPA PRESIDENT/CEO Arnie Fielkow STAFF Paul Corliss, Excell Hardy Jr, Erin Miller, Scott Rochelle, Matt Misichko, Mariam Kurdadze, Brittany Ray NBRPA BOARD MEMBERS Otis Birdsong, Past Chairman Thurl Bailey, Chairman of the Board Dwight Davis, Vice Chairman Nancy Lieberman, Treasurer Robert A. Elliott, Past Chairman Dr. George W. Tinsley Sr., Past Chairman Rick Barry, Director Spencer Haywood, Director Johnny Newman, Director Eldridge Recasner, Director Mike Glenn, Director James Donaldson, Director LaRue Martin Jr, Director

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FROM THE NBRPA PRESIDENT

NBRPA Members, Partners, Supporters, and friends: Welcome to Las Vegas for the 7th Annual Legends World Sports Conference!

As our Legends of Basketball descend upon the Nevada desert, our 2015 theme phrase “Come Together” has never been more appropriate. Widely recognized as the premier gathering of its kind for former professional basketball players, the Legends Conference is the NBRPA’s annual retreat for members and partners to learn, network and unite in community service.

The entire basketball community is here in the Entertainment Capital of the World this July and the NBRPA is proud to be an integral part of the hardwood hype! Our organization is asserting itself as a leading member of the basketball community in America and our cornerstone partners – the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) – have taken notice. In fact, we are holding this year’s Legends Conference in Las Vegas as part of a collaborative effort with our partners during the Las Vegas Summer League as we “Come Together” to share ideas as we jointly work to add opportunities and improve support systems for former and current players.

Through these collaborative relationships with the NBA and NBPA, we now have a respected seat at the basketball table that has helped us form new key partnerships with the NBA Legends Foundation, which provides funding for former players in dire straits, as well as with the WNBA, which opened a new membership category and represents an opportunity to grow membership significantly. Today’s NBRPA has board representation in place with both USA Basketball and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. In addition, today’s NBRPA actively works with the NCAA to bring former players to the Men’s Final Four, other NCAA Tournament events and conference tournaments.

The Legends Conference provides a wonderful forum to interact with leaders not only in the basketball community, but in the business world at-large. Thank you for supporting our growth, I hope this weekend provides an opportunity for you to grow as well. Let’s all “Come Together” and take the next step.

Yours in basketball,

Arnie D. Fielkow President & CEO

Bob Elliott #54 of the New Jersey Nets shoots in 1980.

WITH

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Q&A

NBRPA BOARD MEMBER

BOB ELLIOTT

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LEGENDS OF THE COURT Former New Jersey Nets big man and University of Arizona star Bob Elliott has been an NBRPA Board Member since 2010. Elliott became Board Chairman in 2011 and led the NBRPA through several unique challenges, including the hiring of a new corporate leader and an overhauling of the organization’s corporate structure and policies.

Elliott recently sat down with LegendsofBasketball.com to discuss the NBRPA’s past, present and future … as well as his recently-released book, “Tucson a Basketball Town,” which is available at Amazon.com.

Q:

Bob, you became Chairman of the Board during a challenging time for the NBRPA in 2011. What was your game-plan to move the NBRPA forward from a time of in-fighting and discord?

A:

It was indeed a challenge, but it was no different than a challenge you would have as a new coach coming to a team. You have to assess the situation and create a game plan for success as you move from point A to point B to point C, so the organization or the company can achieve its goals and objectives.

When I assessed the NBRPA at that time, I felt that structure, discipline, and just an overall organizational awareness of best practices in corporate America was needed. You can either build an organization from the bottom up or the top down. I felt the NBRPA needed to be built from the top down because so many people rely

on the President/CEO, who is in charge of day-to-day operations.

Q:

How did you share your philosophy, your idea to rebuild from the top down, with your fellow Board Members?

A:

Part of being a good coach is to honestly assess the positives and negatives of every player. Same thing as Board Chairman … you need to be inclusive and can’t alienate anyone if you’re going to build a consensus.

Fortunately, the Board felt in sync with what I was saying and it took a month or two to build a consensus. Moving from the Board on down, the next thing was to find a new President/CEO.

Q:

What processes did you employ to find the NBRPA’s new corporate leader?

A:

We went through the process as any solid organization or corporation would do: You hire an independent search firm to lead and guide you though the process.

We formally opened up the position and went through the initial applications to make sure that those who had an interest in the job at least met the minimum qualifications. We had more than 240 applications for the President/ CEO position and the search firm cut it down to 25. Then it was our turn as the NBRPA Board to name a search committee that would take the 25 down to six or eight semifinalists. Then we brought the

semifinalists in for interviews.

Given that our Board had gone through a lack of consensus, and now that we had consensus, I felt the need to have the entire Board hear all the presentations from the semifinalists. They needed to see all the candidates and make the decision and selection as a Board.

That’s how we ended up with our current President & CEO, Arnie Fielkow.

Q:

How did you land on Arnie to become the NBRPA’s new corporate leader?

A:

Even though Arnie was outside the family and was not a former player, we felt that with time our members would see what led us to him. Arnie had the business experience and success our organization needed. He had relevant basketball experience as a leader of the old Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and high-level sports business success as the head business executive for the New Orleans Saints.

His experience in politics also helped him understand our own dynamics as an organization with constituents – our members – and a Board of Directors that he would report to.

Internally, we needed our members to understand how important it was to have leadership with a strong business background. Also, with time, our biggest stakeholders – the NBA and the NBPA – would see this new plan and re-gain confidence to work with us in partnership. I’m proud to say that’s happened with Rebound Magazine

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those partnerships as the NBRPA has improved its business practices and overall professionalism.

Sometimes it takes time for people to see what is happening, but right now we are light years from where we were three and a half years ago. That being said, we’re still nowhere near where we need to be.

Q: A:

What are you proud of as a Board Member helping lead the transition from 2011 to 2015?

I would say, first and foremost, the number of beneficial programs that became available to our members from 2011 to 2015 stands out to me.

We have a strong menu of benefits and programs, most completely free, that didn’t exist when this transition began. (Those can be found online at http://www.legendsofbasketball.com/alumnis/nbrpaprograms/) From a business perspective, it always comes back to the fundamentals (another analogy as a basketball player) – it’s not about going out on the court and playing 5-on-5 with guys all the time. You have to

spend time in the gym by yourself working on your dribbling, working on your shooting, working on your passing, working on your defense. You work on your fundamentals first before you go out there and get to the 5-on-5 game.

The business world is no different, so once we got our fundamentals together, our key relationships moved forward.

Now the NBA can work with us confidently to provide more funding for programs that benefit our members. The NBA can now give us more latitude to do additional events and is partnering with us more broadly, such as with our Full Court Press: Prep for Success youth initiative that now falls under the NBA Cares umbrella.

On the Players Association side, the NBPA is talking to our leadership and we’re re-developing trust and understanding. That partnership has grown, but it’s also one in which collaboration and understanding needs to increase and that’s a focal point moving forward.

Retired Players Association President/Chairman of the Board Bob Elliott talks during a press conference during the 2013 NBA Jam Session on February 14, 2013, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

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Q:

LEGENDS OF THE COURT

If a member is unhappy with the state of the NBRPA and comes to you, how do you field that question or complaint?

A:

First thing, any member can and should come to me or any other Board Member with questions or concerns. We are your elected leadership and have our members’ best interests in mind. That being said, I want to be clear that all NBRPA Board Members signed a confidentiality agreement and can’t always divulge all details when asked.

If someone were to come to me, there could be (and there usually are) two sides to a story. You need to compile all the facts and get everybody involved in that equation so that all involved parties have the same facts in front of them. From there, let’s find out if everyone still has the same feelings. Nine out of 10 times, it is a lack of communication and sharing facts can clear the air.

Q: A:

What does the future hold for the NBRPA? For Bob Elliott?

The future for the NBRPA is to never lose sight of who you serve … you serve the members.

Mission one is to help members transition to life after basketball … how are you doing that?

For me, I just hope and pray that the Lord keeps me in good health so I enjoy my wife and four children, four children-in-laws, and 10 grandkids.

That’s my future.

Q:

Lastly, you recently became a published author with your book “Tucson a Basketball Town”.

What’s the story about and where can the book be purchased?

A:

Co-authored with my New Jersey Nets, University of Arizona and high school teammate Eric Money, “Tucson a Basketball Town” is a story that needed to be told. Coach Fred Snowden was the first black head men’s basketball coach in Division I in a major conference. He was the first black coach to win an NCAA Tournament game. He was also the first black coach to get as far as the Elite Eight. He turned Tucson into a basketball town and, in turn,

Bob Elliott, #54 of the New Jersey Nets, dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during a game played circa 1975 at the Rutgers Athletic Center. the University of Arizona into a basketball school.

Regardless of what success has occurred in UA football, basketball has always driven the athletic department since 1972 and Coach Snowden started it. I’d love to see Coach Snowden be a part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – there is only one first and he was the first. After he was hired it opened the doors for many coaches who are in the Hall of Fame: George Raveling, who was hired by Washington State; John Thompson, who was hired

by Georgetown; Nolan Richardson at Tulsa and then Arkansas; and John Chaney at Temple. But there was only one first.

That’s the story behind the book. You don’t write a book to make money, you write a book to tell a story.

This story is about Coach Snowden … what he did, what he achieved, and the success that he had.

“Tucson a Basketball Town” is available at Amazon. com: http://www.amazon.com/Tucson-BasketballTown-Bob-Elliott/dp/1627870415 R Rebound Magazine

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Sidney Moncrief #4 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1984 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

SIDNEY MONCRIEF 10 Rebound Magazine

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lthough he does not necessarily have the same notoriety as some of his peers, Sydney Moncrief, in the 1980s was one of the best allaround basketball players in the National Basketball Association.

The 6-4 guard displayed a slew of offensive weapons such as a strong outside shot, the ability to slash to the basket, crisp passes, leaping ability and he constantly posted up bigger opponents.

As good as he was on offense, his forte was defense and defensive intensity, a trait he developed while growing up in a government housing development in East Little Rock, Arkansas.

There, Moncrief spent most of his time playing sports, especially basketball and football. In that environment, disputes were usually settled with violence. It was not uncommon for arguments on the court to end up in fights. Moncrief learned how to stand up for himself and to protect what was his. He brought that philosophy to the court.

Moncrief also credits his mother for helping him develop a strong work ethic and mental and physical toughness. She worked as a hotel maid and was a strict disciplinarian.

“I think my mom and certainly my family structure, even my step father and father, who was out of the household, my aunts, uncle set a certain standard as it related to work ethic and how you respected other people and interacted,” Moncrief said. “That just carried over. Certainly my mom was the disciplinarian.” I also think the

LEGENDS OF THE COURT general toughness of the kids I grew up around had a lot to do with my ability to transfer that into the NBA, mentally.”

Moncrief took that competitive spirit to both to the court and classroom. As a student he earned a 3.8 grade point average his senior year which enabled him to garner a basketball scholarship to the University of Arkansas.

“I just played basketball. It wasn’t calculated that basketball was a way out and would open doors for me,” Moncrief said. “I never had a grand plan that playing pro basketball was going to be my way out. It just happened that way. My coach and others told me I had to step up my game in that area (academically) and I decided I would put the same amount of effort and focus as I did in basketball.”

As a Razorback, Moncrief, under the tutelage of legendary coach Eddie Sutton and with teammates Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph, the struggling program quickly turned around. There, Moncrief earned the nickname, “The Squid.” He averaged 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot an incredible 60.6 percent from the field. He was named to the first team All-American squad his senior year and continued to cultivate his defensive prowess. The success the Razorbacks had during that time catapulted the program to one of the elite programs in the country.

“A couple of years before I got there Arkansas’ program actually had a very competitive basketball

team. Of course, back then you didn’t have 99, 100 teams in the NCAA tournament,” Moncrief said. “It wasn’t like it was bare bones, but we certainly made the program much better when we got there. We had three talented players and the timing was perfect.

We were great teammates and loved each other.”

Moncrief left as the school’s AllTime Scoring Leader. His record was broken in 1992 by Todd Day. Following his collegiate success, “The Squid” was drafted fifth overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, coached by Don Nelson. The players selected before Moncrief were, Magic Johnson, David Greenwood, Bill Cartwright and Greg Kelser.

During Moncrief’s first season, the Bucks improved from 38 wins to 49 and notched their first of seven consecutive Midwest Division championships and 10 straight playoff appearances.

Moncrief played in 77 games during his rookie season and averaged 8.5 points a game. The next season he improved to 14.0 points, and in his third campaign, the 1981-82 season he recorded 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists. That year he was named to his first of five straight All-Star teams and All-Defensive squads.

The next season he took his game up another notch and had arguably his best year. He averaged 22.5 points a game but was also a defensive standout and was named the first-ever

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that were four, five players deep with Hall of Fame players,” Moncrief said. “The Bucks were right there but we were not as good as those players. I think the basketball players who really know basketball will look very favorably with what I had done and at the end of the day I am happy with my career.”

After taking a year off, Moncrief came back and played a season with the Atlanta Hawks before retiring following the 1990-91 season.

While Moncrief was playing he knew that eventually he would have to hang up his sneakers. During his playing days he prepared for his life after basketball life. He was urged by his attorney Jay Dickey, Jr to think about his post-career; otherwise he would not have, because like many athletes he thought that he would always have basketball. In 1987, while he was still playing, he invested in the automotive sales business, an endeavor that turned out to be very successful. At various times he had five dealerships in different cities.

Sidney Moncrief of the Western Conference All Stars dribbles the ball during the 1983 NBA All Star Game on February 13, 1983 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the award the following year. He was selected first-team All-NBA alongside Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Moses Malone and Magic Johnson.

“I was a good defender out of college because that is what I was taught with Eddie Sutton - to play defense the right way,” Moncrief said. “Don Nelson taught me how to play defense the NBA way, which was more physical, more contact and anticipate more, a little heavy on the scouting report and that enhanced my defensive ability, but I had a good foundation.”

Moncrief played 10 seasons in Milwaukee and finished second in franchise assists, games played and scoring behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

‘That was the era with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

I can’t argue with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

I can’t even be in that same conversation. Those guys produce championships and played on teams

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“That really helped me get stability when I retired even though retirement is difficult mentally because you are use to a certain lifestyle,” For about 15 years I had very good success,” Moncrief said. “Retiring was a good transition because my life improved substantially. The things I was able to do with my family and controlling my time more. It was a good transition.”

When the businesses started to struggle, Moncrief turned back to basketball and he coached in college, the NBA for several years in China. Then he created a team enhancement company. That is still flourishing.

MoncriefOneTeam is a development company that specializes in career readiness, consulting, coaching and team enhancement. It is designed to improve personal and professional development for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, teams and organizations. The company also works with young people and helps them develop soft skills. An area of need that Moncrief noticed was missing.

“When I was doing and coaching basketball with the younger kids it made me realize how important

teamwork was. I tried to transfer some of the concepts of when I played basketball and coached basketball into the cooperate world,” Moncrief said. “I noticed that there was a void in career readiness soft skills. There are a lot of schools teaching career readiness but not the soft skills like how to talk, what to say, how to smile, how to network, how to be nice to people and especially how to sell yourself, or services.”

LEGENDS OF THE COURT

The 57-year-old, has authored five books, all aimed at providing assistance to others as they strive to achieve peak performance in their lives: “My Journey to the NBA,” “Your Passport to Reinventing You,” “Your Passport to Becoming a Valuable Team Player,” “Your Passport to Back2Basics Leadership” and “Your Passport to Manhood.”

Moncrief, a father of four sons now lives in the Dallas, Texas area. He is extremely proud of his success on and off the court and what he has accomplished since his days in the Little Rock housing development.

“That upbringing and work ethic I developed was important,” Moncrief said. “It is all related and all driven by being content and in control of my time and resources. Control of my time, me and quality of life, that is what it is driven by and I am glad I got to that point and learned what is important.“ For more information on MoncriefOneTeam go to, www.moncrief1team.com. R

Sidney Moncrief is greeted by campers at the Las Vegas Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Basketball Camp on August 16, 2006 at Doolittle Recreation Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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ALL STAR WEEKEND RECAP The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, experienced unprecedented success as part of NBA All-Star 2015 in New York City, February 12-15, 2015.

Highlighted below are areas of success the NBRPA and its Legends of Basketball experienced during the weekend.

COMMUNITY SERVICE The NBRPA and its members participated in several community relations projects during NBA All-Star 2015, including: • Feb. 12 – $5000 donation to the Our Children’s Foundation in Harlem in conjunction with the NBRPA New York City Chapter, followed by a healthy living presentation made possible for youngsters by the Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) • Feb. 13 – More than 20 NBRPA Members visited various schools across the five boroughs alongside current NBA players as part of the NBA’s “Day of Service” program • Feb. 14 – Community service painting project at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, honoring the legacies of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Nate “Tiny” Archibald and Dolph Schayes • Feb. 14 – NBRPA New York City Chapter youth mentoring event at Riverbank State Park, bringing NBA rookie Nerlens Noel together with local NYC Legends BLACK HISTORY MONTH Wells Fargo Advisors served as the NBRPA’s title partner for Black History Month, February 2015. This partnership included: • Feb. 13 – “Celebrate Black History Month” panel at the Legends All-Star Welcome Reception, featuring Nate Archibald, Spencer Haywood, Dr. Richard Lapchick, Ralph Sampson, Teresa Weatherspoon and Marc Morial.

• Weekly Black History Month “Legends Reflect” features at LegendsofBasketball.com

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PUBLICiTY, MEDIA & BRANDING: SOCIAL MEDIA The NBRPA had its biggest social media week in history with more than 1.1 million impressions on Twitter. Throughout the course of All-Star Weekend we grew our overall Twitter following by more than 1000% and increased our mentions by other Twitter accounts by more than 1000%.

RADIO The NBRPA scheduled dozens of NBRPA Member interviews throughout the weekend with SiriusXM NBA Radio, including on-air features from the Marriott Marquis, backstage at the Legends Brunch and via phone. In addition, Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Radio on SiriusXM did a remote from our Black History Month Celebration on February 13.

Also, our own Wali Jones and Chuck Hatcher broadcasted from the Legends Lounge for the nationally-syndicated Sports Byline and US Armed Forces Radio.

TELEVISION The NBA Legends Brunch was broadcast multiple time on NBA TV, a station that reaches 45 million households in the United States The NBRPA employed its own multi-camera production crew to document the entire All-Star Weekend through videos that will be distributed through a number of channels. In addition, the NBRPA coordinated with NBA TV for more than 20 on-air interviews of our Legends that will air in coming months.

REVENUE GENERATION Through its All-Star Weekend corporate partnership program, the NBRPA generated $345,000 in total revenues. The net proceeds of these funds will be used to fund additional former player and community programs.

In addition to the these monies raised through corporate partnerships, the NBRPA received commitments for $150,000 in new business during All-Star Weekend, including $50,000 in paid appearances that will be passed on to members from the Hall of Fame and NCAA Tournament. As part of this number, the NBRPA also secured $100,000 in funding for our signature Full Court Press: Prep for Success youth program from the NBA, Leadership Foundation and Police Athletic League for 2015. R

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WE MADE THIS GAME

The Syracuse Nationals shoot the ball against Jim Loscutoff, seen here wearing number eighteen, of the Boston Celtics circa 1962 at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, New York.

JIM “LOSCY” LOSCUTOFF: ENFORCER Before there was Laimbeer, before there was Barkley or Rodman, there was Jim Loscutoff.

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WE MADE THIS GAME

points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 0.7 assists per game, not a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and never made an All-Star Game appearance: Not impressive numbers but, Jim Loscutoff did garner seven NBA championships in his career with the Boston Celtics. Only six players have won more championships than “Loscy” as he was affectionately known, and all of those players were teammates of his during the Celtics dynasty of the late 50s and throughout the 60s. The Celtics gathered an incredible 11 championships in a 13 year span and missed the Finals only once from 1957 to 1969. This dynasty may have never developed fully without the toughness that earned Loscutoff the nickname “Jungle Jim.” Jim Loscutoff was not the “enforcer” that he became in the NBA in either high school or college. As a prep player at Commerce High School in San Francisco and as a senior at Palo Alto High School he was a more traditional scorer and rebounder playing the position of center. He went on to play at Grant Technical College, a junior college, and then went on to the University of Oregon where he averaged 17.2 rebounds per game.

He is still listed in the top ten in both rebounds and scoring at Oregon, where he only played 57 games.

After playing for the Army for 3 years he was drafted by the Celtics as the 3rd overall pick in 1955. Though not implicitly stated, Jim knew what his role would be for the defensively weak, Red Auerbach-coached Celtics.

Toughness was apparent in Jim from the very beginning. Weighing ten pound with unusually broad shoulders made his birth difficult as he was not breathing initially being set aside to tend to his hemorrhaging mother. He began crying; alerting the doctors, nurses and the world he was alive and carried this determination with him for the rest of his life. As a child of struggling parents growing up in the Mission District of San Francisco, Jim and his friends would nail a basketball hoop to a phone pole. The phone company quickly took the hoop down after complaints from a local resident. The hoop went right back up. The phone company again, took the hoop down. The hoop went right back up. The phone company caved and the victorious boys enjoyed games that became a popular hangout for the gritty “Mission District Kids.” Jim was a natural at the game and went on to play successfully

despite his father’s insistence that the game was just a waste of time. After moving to Palo Alto, Jim went on to star for the Palo Alto Vikings as a senior. After graduation he then went on to play at Grant Technical College, a junior college now known as American River College. After his successes there, the Oregon Ducks expressed interest in his talents. Loscutoff went on to play for Oregon before an unfortunate incident derailed the up-and-coming Ducks. Apparently Jim and a teammate were accused of indiscretions with some off-campus females which led to Coach John Warren resigning and the “offending” players being suspended. These accusations were widely looked upon as being incredibly unfair and unpopular around campus. No crimes of any sort were committed but the damage was done. Jim left the University of Oregon.

As a result of leaving college he became draft eligible for the military, but being too tall for the regular Army his basketball talents were attractive to the Special Services of the Army. He went on to play for the Army while fulfilling his military commitment. During this time Jim met his future wife Lynn in California while stationed at Fort Ord. After his obligation to the Army, Jim still had a season of eligibility left and made the most of it. Jim and Lynn made the trip back to Oregon to play his senior year while Lynn attended school. He had a stellar senior season as the Ducks leading scorer with 19.6 points per game average as well as averaging a very impressive 17.2 rebounds per game. These numbers and Jim’s physical style were appealing to a defensively needy Boston Celtics team. At 25 years old Jim Loscutoff became a rookie in the NBA. There was the matter of contract negotiations before this could happen, however.

Immediately following Jim’s final college season, the Celtics flew him to Boston to meet with the owner and coach to discuss his future with the team. In those days there were no agents or players unions looking out for a player’s best interests so the negotiations were left to Jim and Lynn. After meeting with the Celtics owner, Walter Brown and legendary coach, Red Auerbach Jim and Lynn made a hasty naïve stab at securing a lucrative contract. Jim and Lynn both decided that a $9,000 salary with a $500 signing bonus sounded about right.

Auerbach and Brown agreed. Little did the newlyweds know the average rookie salary at the time was about Rebound Magazine 21

paced and high-scoring team the conditioning to keep this pace required the rookie to push his body beyond limits he had never experienced. As a result, the team continued their offensive dominance and improved their record by a few games, but was still an early exit in the first round of the playoffs. Although Jim was a much needed improvement from a defensive standpoint, the following year’s draft was to be the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty.

Jim Loscutoff of the 1957 Boston Celtics during a luncheon honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1957 NBA Champion Boston Celtics on April 13, 2007. $14,000. Although underpaid, Jim and Lynn felt tremendously excited as their new adventure was just beginning.

Jim secured his role with the Celtics within a handful of exhibition games prior to the 1955-56 season. Johnny Most, the legendary Celtics announcer, coined the term “Jungle Jim” based on the new rookie’s size, physique and demeanor on the court. The term stuck.

Jim was now the team “enforcer,” “hatchet man” and over all tough guy. If someone started something with a Celtic, Jim was sure to step up to finish it. This could have been predicted. When Lynn and Jim first met she discussed her newfound love with her older brother who was quite aware of Jim’s abilities as a brawler and fighter. Ed, Lynn’s brother, was the same age as Jim and had direct knowledge of Jim’s reputation. Being the protective father figure, Ed forbade Lynn from pursuing this relationship but this only intrigued Lynn more.

The prior year the Celtics were the highest scoring team in the league, being the first to average over 100 points a game but were lacking in defensive intensity by giving up over a hundred points a game. Jim filled that role but paid an early price. As the Celtics were a fast22 Rebound Magazine

The Celtics chose a 6’ 10” center out of the University of Kansas which had gone undefeated the previous two seasons. Although not joining the team right away due to a commitment to the Olympics, Bill Russell joined the Celtics in December and along with another draft pick, Tom Heinsohn and dynamic guard Bob Cousy, the Celtics became the best team in the league nearly overnight. This was to be Jim’s best year statistically scoring over ten points a game while also grabbing over ten rebounds per game. The dynasty was born.

Russell was dominant on both ends of the court, Heinsohn grabbed Rookie of the Year honors while Cousy garnered NBA Most Valuable Player. The Celtics were the best team in the league but were pushed to the limit by the St. Louis Hawks in the NBA Finals. The series came down to double overtime of game seven.

Jim dropped in two free-throws in the final moments of the second overtime to earn the Celtics their first title after a legendary 125-123 game.

The championship was received with much fanfare in Boston. The team had always taken a back seat to the Boston Bruins by the hockey loving city but by winning the title and becoming the best team in the league the Celtics had carved out a true loyal following. The next season began with great enthusiasm as Boston took their position of the best team in the NBA then only 14 games into the season their enforcer Jim Loscutoff went down with a knee injury. The injury limited Jim to only five games that season but Boston did again make the finals only to lose to the St. Louis Hawks in six games after an ankle injury severely limited Bill Russell.

The following season Jim and his teammates were healthy and again the best team in the league. The Celtics dominated the season and went on to sweep the Minneapolis Lakers in the Finals. The Celtics went on to win another seven straight championships and Jim Loscutoff never ended a season without a

championship again. The streak was not easy. Many playoff games went down to the wire with the Celtics winning. The emergence of Wilt Chamberlain changed the style of the game. The Hall of Famer Bob Cousy retired, Jim went down with a back injury and had a disk in his back removed. But, strong ownership and brilliant coaching and player management always paid off with championship rings.

The NBA evolved into a strong spectator sport now seen widely on televisions across the United States.

Superstars of the League like Russell and Chamberlain revolutionized and changed the game into a fastpaced high-scoring event. With all these changes and challenges though Jim Loscutoff remained the enforcer and earned his nickname “Jungle Jim” honestly. Fist fights and skirmishes were commonplace for the league at the time. It was not uncommon for the fights to require police intervention as the fisticuffs spilled into the benches and the crowd. The strong willed Loscutoff routinely led the team in personal fouls and Red Auerbach would join by leading in technical fouls screaming profanity laced language at the referees. But it worked. This team would go onto be the most dominant professional franchise in history.

As Jim’s playing time diminished during the 1964-65 season he decided to retire. He accepted a position of head coach and Associate Professor at Boston State College the following year. Jim brought the blue collared team, without any scholarship players, out of the doldrums leading them to the NAIA finals in 1967. He went

WE MADE THIS GAME

on to coach the team for 12 years compiling a record of 219 wins against only 93 losses.

Jim returned to the Boston Garden on April 14, 1973. On this day a banner was hung in the rafters honoring Jim. Initially the Celtics had planned to retire the number 18. However Jim declined this honor. His belief that the number represented a certain role for the Boston Celtics that one player just didn’t deserve. To honor Jim’s wishes but still give praise to the fan favorite the Celtics hung a banner imprinted with his nickname “Loscy.” This honor is unique not only in Boston, but to the entire league. Joining in the halftime celebration Dave Cowens the next “tough guy” to don the number 18 met Jim at half court. The two champions shook hands and relished the praise of the crowd.

Players in the early days of the NBA did not have the financial independence of today’s athletes.

Jim’s offseason was filled with various outdoor activities to make ends meet. He was a lifeguard, golf instructor and as a result of the success of the Celtics he began conducting camps along with fellow teammates. This led to Jim and Lynn being able to buy and open a successful day camp for children.

In 1964 Jim and Lynn Loscutoff opened Camp Evergreen in Andover, Massachusetts. The camp continues operations to this day.

Today Jim is enjoying retirement with his wife Lynn. Their entire story has been captured by Lynn Loscutoff in the book, “Loscy and Me.” It is an in-depth journey through the many successes and obstacles the couple faced along the way. The stories contained in this book are Lynn’s honest and sometimes painful experiences. The book can be found and purchased at Amazon.com. R

Loscutoff was described by one player as a hatchet-man, and his defense and strength were part of the defensive greatness of the 60s Celtics, alongside Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell.

Rebound Magazine 23

TERESA WEATHERSPOON: ROLE MODEL AND PIONEER

by Paul Corliss and Teresa Galvez

Teresa Weatherspoon of the USA drives down the lane during a game against Czech Republic at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. The USA won the game 111 - 55.

WE MADE THIS GAME In 1993, former NBA star Charles Barkley famously proclaimed he was not a role model – he didn’t want that role and wouldn’t embrace it. Fortunately for young African-American females, that’s not the case with NBRPA Player Ambassador Teresa Weatherspoon. The four-time WNBA All-Star embraced and continues to revel in her influence on aspiring young ladies looking to follow in the footsteps of a winner on and off the court.

“I do feel like I am a role model,” Weatherspoon said when asked of her influence on young AfricanAmerican females. “Maybe those little eyes that are on you don’t have little eyes on them at home.”

The willingness to stand tall as a role model for young African-American females is consistent with her outlook on life – stand proud, work hard and follow your dreams. The youngest of six children from tiny (population 850) Pineland, Texas, Weatherspoon has always been an achiever – in academics, in college basketball, in international competition and eventually as one of the WNBA’s first household names. But it all started at home as a youngster growing up in East Texas.

“My house was a competitive house,” Weatherspoon said. “I had to watch and learn and take all the greatness from each person in my family, because of the uniqueness and greatness in each one of them.

Everything I’ve ever accomplished is due to my teachings at home.”

Indeed athletic talent seemed to be a birth-right for the former basketball star that friends still call “Teespoon.” Her father, Charles, played minor league baseball for the Minnesota Twins and her mother, Rowena, was an undefeated champion drum majorette. But for all the athletic prowess in her genes, academics were the driving force behind Teresa Weatherspoon’s early success – a personal fact she makes sure to share mention when sharing her story with youngsters.

“Believe it or not, I was (more) in tune with my academics,” Weatherspoon said when asked about her basketball aspirations as a young girl. “I actually wanted to do great things with basketball because

it was going to give me that avenue to do greater things academically – probably go to college, play basketball there and then move on to do greater things. (Schoolwork) was a great piece of competition for me. I wanted to finish high school as valedictorian of my class because I wanted to kind of challenge the stereotypes of athletes.”

Weatherspoon did indeed become her high school valedictorian, accomplishing her goal – something that would become a recurring theme in the development this future role model. But as she focused on easing her parents’ potential financial burden of paying for college, Weatherspoon’s on-court skills shined and blossomed into something bigger.

Playing (and dominating) against boys at a young age, Weatherspoon understood she had a gift that helped grow her love of the game and made anything seem possible. Her high school coach, former University of Texas player Retha Swindell, recognized the potential in her game and became a mentor and guiding influence – taking Weatherspoon to college games and helping her clearly see a path that could take her athletic and academic talents to the next level. “(Swindell) was someone that I always set out to listen to, because she had done the things that I wanted to do,” Weatherspoon said “She showed me all the things she had accomplished and she talked to me about what I had to do in order for that success to happen to me, because I was in a place of 800 people where everyone thought you can’t get out of that hole. She took me to see collegiate games to help me set goals and she taught me how to work.”

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The hard work, both on and off the court, led to opportunity for Weatherspoon as she was offered a full scholarship to play for the nation’s premier women’s college basketball program – Louisiana Tech. The Lady Techsters, winners of the National Championship in both 1981 and 1982, invited Weatherspoon to follow in the footsteps of two other African-American trailblazers in women’s basketball – Wade Trophy (national player of the year) winners Pam Kelly (1982) and Janice Lawrence Braxton (1984).

Weatherspoon accepted the offer from La Tech and in 1984 departed small-town Texas for the slightlylarger metropolis of Ruston, La., unintimidated and eager to succeed.

“Once you give me an opportunity, I am going to take advantage of it,” Weatherspoon said. “I’m going to put both feet in and knock doors down.”

That strong will and determination helped Weatherspoon deliver on promises to make the most of her time in Ruston. She didn’t just follow in the footsteps of Kelly and Braxton from 1984 to 1988, she built her own legacy and became one of the most decorated college players of her era as a two-time All-American (1987, 1988), while become the third Wade Trophy winner from La Tech in 1988. She not only earned national player of the year honors as a senior, she also let the Lady Techsters to a 56-54 over Auburn in the 1988 NCAA Championship Game.

During the summers of her collegiate career, Weatherspoon played for Team USA. The highest she envisioned her basketball career could go … at least for the moment.

“If I turned on the television, what I could see was the NBA for the men … nothing for women,” Weatherspoon said when looking into her future.

“The only thing I could see (for women) was to ultimately become an Olympian. If I could become an Olympian, one of the 12 best in the world, I’d be doing pretty well.”

True to form, Weatherspoon exceeded expectations – not only did she become an Olympian, she helped lead Team USA to the 1984 Gold Medal in Los Angeles. She also played for the United States in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. With that taste

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Teresa Weatherspoon (R) poses for a portrait holding her Legends Career Achievement Award with presenter Julius Erving at the NBA Legends Brunch on February 17, 2008. of international competition came yet another opportunity for her – the opportunity to play professionally, albeit overseas.

Weatherspoon played professional basketball for six years in Italy (all years being named an All-Star), followed by two standout seasons in Russia. And despite struggling through homesickness that came with the inability to be seen by family and friends, Weatherspoon persevered abroad as one of the greatest in her game. Then the phone rang with a call that would change not only Teresa Weatherspoon’s life, but the lives of females with basketball dreams for generations to come – the WNBA was forming.

WE MADE THIS GAME While other American professional basketball leagues for women had been created only to fail economically, this new venture had the backing of the NBA and with that, the economic wherewithal to build a fan base.

Weatherspoon jumped at the opportunity to join the New York Liberty in June, 1997, playing in the WNBA’s inaugural season that fielded eight teams playing 28 games. Keeping in line with the theme of her life, Weatherspoon immediately made her mark in the new league – helping lead New York to the first WNBA Finals, while earning the WNBA Defensive Player-of-theYear Award and a spot in the WNBA All-Star Game.

“The WNBA gave us all an amazing platform to not only play the game, but to also to be positive role models in the lives of our young women in our home country who could turn the TV on and watch us,” Weatherspoon said. “We had obligations now to our young people by utilizing this platform to show them that we as women – African- American women, or women in general – we could do whatever we want to do.”

Indeed, Teresa Weatherspoon had arrived as an inaugural star in the new league. Playing in the iconic Madison Square Garden, as a part of the WNBA’s Liberty, was a dream Weatherspoon never wanted to wake from. In 2002, she became the first WNBA player with 1,000 assists and through eight glorious WNBA season she played in two Finals and four AllStar Games.

“I always felt a sense of responsibility (to the WNBA), because it’s the platform we were given and ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’”

Weatherspoon said, taking us full-circle to the role she embraces – that of a role model for young African-American females with basketball dreams.

“Every single day I wanted to do my part to make sure that every teammate got better. Every time I stepped on that floor a young kid saw something positive that they could take from my life, from my play, from my enthusiasm, my dedication and my commitment.” R

Felipe Lopez and Teresa Weatherspoon in conjunction with the NYC Parks and Recreation host a wheelchair basketball clinic at the Chelsea Recreation Center on February 5, 2015 in New York, New York.

Rebound Magazine 27

LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

START

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SUNDAY, JULY 12

12:00pm

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Board Members and Partners arrive at Hotel

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MONDAY, JULY 13 Board of Directors Meeting (Midtown) Registration in Legends Lounge (Tribeca) EarQ Hearing Testing (Midtown) Opening Press Conference (Park Terrace) Entrepreneurs Summit Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors (NBRPA Members & Spouses/Guests Only) (Park Terrace) Legends Welcome Reception/Dinner (Staten Island) NBA Summer League Games (Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV) Legacy XChange Penthouse Lounge – NBRPA Members Hospitality Lounge (complimentary beverages/snacks) (NBRPA Members & Spouses/Guests Only) (Penthouse – NYNY Hotel & Casino) TUESDAY, JULY 14 Legends Breakfast (America Restaurant) Membership Meeting (Board Election Voting Begins) (NBRPA Members & Presenting Guests Only) (America Restaurant) Legends Lounge Open (Tribeca) Reel Reporting (Union Square)

TBD 7:00pm

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WORKSHOPS 11:55am

Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Round 1 Round 1 Round 1 Round 1 (Gramercy Park A) (Gramercy Park B) (Midtown) (Park Terrace)

11:55am

Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Round 2 Round 2 Round 2 Round 2 (Gramercy Park A) (Gramercy Park B) (Midtown) (Park Terrace)

11:00am

11:55am

Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session Round 3 Round 3 Round 3 Round 3 (Gramercy Park A) (Gramercy Park B) (Midtown) (Park Terrace)

1:00pm

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Legends Lunch (Served during Breakout Sessions) Legends Ladies Event Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors (Barrick Museum and Showcase Mall) (Transportation will be provided) Basketball Clinic (Nellis Air Force Base) (Transportation will be provided) EarQ Happy Hour (Penthouse) Legends Dinner & Members Photo (Staten Island) After Dinner Entertainment- Provided by the NBRPA (Staten Island) Legacy XChange Penthouse Lounge – NBRPA Members Hospitality Lounge (complimentary beverages & snacks) (NBRPA Members & Spouses/Guests Only) (Penthouse – NYNY Hotel & Casino) WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 Technology Summit (NBRPA Members & Spouses/Guests Only) (Park Terrace) Legends Farewell Breakfast with the Harlem Globetrotters (Park Terrace)

Legacy Change Rebound Magazine 29

NBRPA TO HOST LEGENDS WORLD SPORTS CONFERENCE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA JULY 13-15

The NBRPA will host its annual Legends World Sports Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino July 13-15.

Widely recognized as the premiere gathering of its kind for former professional basketball players, the Legends World Sports Conference (LWSC) is the NBRPA’s annual retreat for members and partners to learn, network and unite in community service.

NBRPA Members and their guests will enjoy a family-style vacation at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Conference workshop sessions will feature industry experts covering a variety of relevant topics, including Jobs in Sports, Finance, Career Transition, Continuing Education, Professional Speaking & Broadcasting, Social Media, Health & Wellness, Networking, Legal, Franchise Opportunities and more. R

GAME CHANGERS: HOW THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS BATTLED RACISM

The documentary “Game Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism” – produced

by ARISE News – won an Emmy Award in the Nostalgia Program category at the 58th Annual New York Emmy Awards on, early in May. Hosted by ARISE News anchor Julian Phillips, the documentary features interviews with former Globetrotters: Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Haynes, William “Pop” Gates, Gene Hudgins, Andy Johnson, Charlie Hoxie and Carl Green.

30 Rebound Magazine

The nominated documentary is a historical look,

by ARISE News, at the early days of professional basketball and how the Harlem Globetrotters dealt with racism and helped change the world of sports.

“The story of the Harlem Globetrotters mirrors the Civil Rights struggle in America,” said ARISE News Co-Executive Producer Alan J. Weiss.

“It’s important that these often overlooked heroes – lionized around the world, but treated as second class citizens at home – receive the recognition they deserve.” R

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Rebound Magazine 31

LEGENDS AND FULL COURT PRESS: PREP FOR SUCCESS For generations, NBA players have given back to young people and the National Basketball Retired Players Association’s (NBRPA) Legends of Basketball are no exception. Throughout the 23-year history of our organization, NBRPA members have donated countless hours of community service through basketball and life skills events.

Three years ago the NBRPA’s Board of Directors recognized a desire within membership to formalize its dedication to community service by officially broadening the organization’s historic mission of assisting former players in life after basketball to also include positively impacting communities and youth through basketball. With that expanded mission the NBRPA set out to establish a signature youth program in order to fulfill its commitment to give back and Full Court Press: Prep for Success was created.

Full Court Press: Prep for Success is a five-hour youth basketball and mentoring clinic for underserved boys and girls, ages 10-16, in cities across the United States. The program is designed to introduce participating youth to positive role models in both

32 Rebound Magazine

basketball and life. With equal time spent on the basketball court, in the classroom and at a mentoring roundtable is part of a robust curriculum. Full Court Press: Prep for Success was created by the NBRPA in 2013. In 2015 the NBA came on board as an official partner for the program, helping elevate the program with both financial and programming support under its’ NBA Cares Umbrella.

NBA Cares is the league’s global community outreach initiative that addresses important social issues such as education, youth and family development, and health and wellness. The NBA and its teams support a range of programs, partners and initiatives that strive to positively impact children and families worldwide.

“We are very proud to have built this program alongside our partners from the ground up,” said NBRPA Chairman of the Board Thurl Bailey, who recently led a Full Court Press: Prep for Success event at the Utah Jazz practice facility in Salt Lake City. “But the support of the NBA – its resources and expertise in working on social responsibility – has taken the program to a whole new level.”

COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK Indeed, Full Court Press: Prep for Success has never been more impactful. The program is a joint initiative of the NBRPA, NBA Cares, the National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and Leadership Foundations (LF). The touring program visits 10-15 cities annually and includes four NBRPA Members as coaches and mentors in each session. Mentoring classroom periods address topics relevant to each community and are taught by community leaders from Leadership Foundations and PAL. The mentoring roundtable in each session falls in line with the White House’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative and includes from all three partners.

Each Full Court Press: Prep for Success event is uniquely designed to fit the community it serves.

Some events take place at NBA team facilities, while others are held at local colleges or recreation centers.

Life skills and mentoring topics are chosen based on age, community demographics and localized

issues. All youth participants receive a t-shirt, healthy lunch, hydrating beverages courtesy of Gatorade and unlimited warm smiles to go with heart-warming tales of life lessons from our Legends.

“I firmly believe in the power of sport to make an impact on young lives,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “When our Legends walk into a gymnasium full of children, I see young faces light up. Our members have amazing stories to share – not just about how they excelled on the court, but also how they made it off the court – and Full Court Press: Prep for Success is the perfect venue for first-person mentoring to take place. Community service has always been a big part of this organization, but this strategic program has now developed to the point that the NBRPA and its partners are making a great impact in a short amount of time and that’s what we envisioned when the NBRPA’s charitable mission was expanded … it’s all about the kids.” R

Rebound Magazine 33

LANCE ALLRED,

THE FIRST DEAF

NBA PLAYER

Lance Allred #41 of the Idaho Stampede puts up a shot over James Lang #00 of the Utah Flash at McKay Events Center on March 09, 2009 in Orem, Utah.

34 Rebound Magazine

WE MADE THIS GAME Growing up, what was the most difficult about having a profound hearing loss? How did you cope with it? I was born and raised in a rural community in Montana. There were no amenities to help me at all and there were no sign language facilities. For about a 100 mile radius around where I grew up, I was the only deaf kid. I had to be thrown into the fire and had to learn how to adapt very quickly. That included relying on sight, reading body language, and attending speech therapy classes twice a week until I was 15 years old.

Learning to speak properly was definitely a very big challenge. The community was so small that I really didn’t have anyone that I could confide in, and I basically just had to learn to adapt to my surroundings. There were no opportunities to learn at a sign language facility, and that was definitely a difficult part learning to just read lips in order to get the context of the conversation.

How did it affect you playing basketball at an early age? I didn’t start playing basketball until I was 14 because of the hearing and balance. I was a very clumsy kid and, to be honest, not athletic at all. My game growing up was Nintendo.

No offense is that complicated. The thing I say is, “I am deaf, but in the 4th quarter of a loud gym everyone is deaf.” Temporary deafness and terminally deafness is key because I’m used to having to rely on hand signals and everyone else becomes rattled.

With the good coaches that I have had, any coach knows that no matter what offense you run, when you run good plays and execute, the defense has to give you something. The good coaches that I have had have no problem using hand signals.

I don’t know why people got so wound up about signs and believing that playing with me would be difficult. The good coaches that I have had prove that it’s never been a problem; it was always a smooth process. They loved me because every good coach that I have had saw that because I was such a visual player and was quick to memorize plays, I pick up offenses very quickly.

Lance Allred of the Idaho Stampede teaches kids from the Garden City Community School at the 2008 NBA Development League Showcase Free Basketball Clinic hosted by teammate Randy Livingston on January 16, 2008 at the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County in Garden City, Idaho.

In 8th grade, I grew from 5’10” to 6’4”. We had just moved from Montana to Salt Lake City, and as a way for me to make friends at school I started playing basketball. There were some challenges – I wasn’t coordinated and had to play without my hearing aids. If I had played with them in, it would have been so loud generally, including the echoes, and sweat would cause an issue as well.. I had to rely on being a very visual player, learning to read body position, and memorizing plays very quickly when they happen, especially on defense. I really had to adapt. Basketball is a game of chess. Trying to see it visually is effective.

Did it affect your professional career at all?

Absolutely. In a sad way, there were many opportunities.

I had signed contracts, but once the coaches, especially in Europe, discovered “Oh wait he’s deaf, he’s hearing impaired, I can’t have that because my offense is too important,” I had no chance.

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Was there an athlete that inspired you to not give up on your dream? An athlete that inspired me, without sounding arrogant, was me because I said I was going to be the first deaf player in the NBA and I am the person that has the best shot to do it.

I wanted to do it to set an example to people with disabilities. People have been putting limitations on me all of my life and I simply choose not to listen, because I cannot hear them anyway.

Did you use your circumstances as an advantage while playing? I always felt in the 4th quarter that I had an upper hand. Yes, I could feel the crowd going crazy, but I see a lot of other teammates get really wide-eyed when we were on the road. The home teams starts to make a run and we’re losing the lead, the crowd is going wild, and I can’t hear anything – it’s all good.

I promised myself that if I was going to play basketball with my hearing disability. I was never going to hide behind it or say “I didn’t hear a play.”

I would never say, “Sorry, I didn’t hear the call.” I would say, “Sorry it was my fault, I forgot it.” Most coaches would know that once I did that I was just not trying to hide behind anything. I was quickly taking accountability.

Lance Allred #41 of the Idaho Stampede grabs a rebound in front of Nik Caner-Medley #33 of the Sioux Falls Skyforce during their NBA D-League game at the Sioux Falls Arena December 7, 2007.

How did you and your teammates adapt to playing with each other? Not only am I hearing impaired, I am off-the-beat in terms of personality, so I have a lot of teammates over the years really adjusted to me.

They had to learn to be much more clear with the communication, especially when you have guys in the South, or the neighborhoods of New York.

Growing up in the Midwest in the Rocky Mountains, you pick up a dialect that’s a certain rhythm of English that I learned to read lips with. That includes picking up the vowel tones, but with the accents the vowel tones are different. I had a lot of teammates learn that they have to speak more clearly, but also pick up the generic Midwest accent that everyone understands. They all have done a good job of picking up the Midwestern dialect for me.

How difficult was it to take care of your health while playing? Did you have someone to aid you on the road? I feel much more secure with hearing aids that when I lose one, my anxiety spikes through the roof. This did NOT happen when I was on the court. I love it when I could step on the court because I know I could take my hearing aids out and I know the intricacies of the game.

I am very familiar because I spent thousands of hours in that little 90 x 30 feet area. I know the rules, I know what to expect, I know what to control, and I know there is a lot of communication. In everyday life if I lose a hearing aid my anxiety does spike. In practice, when I would get them broken or injured or sweat got on them, I would get so frustrated. I would have to send them in overnight, and so all that stuff was very difficult because it peaks your anxiety and you feel so out of water.

Meditation helps, but I found myself retreating significantly when that happened. As soon as practice was over, I would go to my hotel room and put my headphones in and watch a movie just so I felt I could be listening to something, but I would never really go out and be social because it’s difficult. Again, I never picked up sign language, and there wasn’t anyone in my professional spheres that could speak sign language anyway. I became so reliant on a technological instrument such as a hearing aid. When you lose it, it’s very difficult.

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WE MADE THIS GAME

How do you deal with your hearing loss now?

As I have gotten older, I have gotten more confident.

If I don’t hear the phone ring, if I miss a call, it’s not the end of the world. There is a lot less frustration and a lot more confidence. Now that I am 34, I definitely learned to have more perspective and you realize the things that are important, like what you can and cannot control.

If I lose a hearing aid now I just say, “Okay it will be ready in two weeks.” I give myself a break and chill out. Before, as a young kid and teenager, I felt as if I had to work that much harder to compensate for my hearing loss. Now, I don’t feel like I need to compete all the time and no one should. I just have patience and just relax; I have worked hard enough, I can just be comfortable in my own skin, and enjoy some quiet time.

Being deaf forces you to be introspective and a lot of people don’t like that. A lot of people do not like being by themselves in a quiet room and forced to analyze and be insightful. My hearing impediment forces me to have quiet times, learn to sit with my own thoughts at night, and to be honest with myself.

What advice would you give someone with a physical impediment that is trying to play sports?

The only true limitations that exist are the ones you place on yourself.

The ones that people put on us are just imaginary. It is whether we choose to listen to them or not. In my one life, this is the hand I was dealt, and there is no time to feel bad about myself.

While I don’t have the hearing I want, my other senses are a little bit more developed. My sight is exceptional, as is my ability to read body language and pick up on human emotion just by watching. In a way, it makes you more empathetic, and I think that’s a gift. It helps me have compassion and a better understanding of people.

Describe your career in one word/phrase. Why? The reason I was #41 in my college and professional career was because there was a Dave Matthews band song when I was a teenager called #41. It said, “I will go in this way, and I will find my own way out.” R

Lance Allred #41 of the Idaho Stampede up to the basket over Jeremy Wise #24 of the Bakersfield Jam at Qwest Arena on January 30, 2010 in Boise, Idaho.

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Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia Warriors during a game circa 1959 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

NBA LEGEND BILL RUSSELL ENCOURAGES LIVING WELL BY HEARING BETTER Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Famer and model for teamwork universally considered to be one of the best basketball players in history, has once again demonstrated how determination and teamwork can defeat an opponent.

However, this time, his opponent wasn’t on the court – it was hearing loss.

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Diagnosed several years ago, Russell decided to take control of his hearing health, self-confidence, relationships, and personal happiness by utilizing personalized hearing devices.

With the support of his devices, Russell effortlessly experiences the benefits of hearing better every day. Like many, he appreciates the

important role his devices play in his life, a role that if he unfulfilled can have tremendous negative consequences.

“The HearStrong Foundation and EarQ came to my rescue during the 2013 NBA All-Star Game weekend,” said Russell. “I was scheduled to do some national interviews, but I had forgotten my

COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK

hearing aids at home. Without them, I was worried about doing the upcoming interviews. Luckily, the teams from HearStrong and EarQ were there and helped me into a brand new pair of devices. I was able to do the interviews well and fully enjoy the weekend. They came through in the clutch.”

In order to help inspire others to utilize life-changing hearing devices, Russell has become a HearStrong Ambassador on behalf of the HearStrong Foundation.

“We are honored to welcome Bill Russell as a HearStrong Ambassador,” said Ed Keller, founder of the HearStrong Foundation and president of EarQ. “Our goal is to show people that we are defined by how we react to challenges rather than the challenges themselves. With Bill’s support, and that of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, we are closer to reaching that goal.”

Russell joins a team of other notable former NBA greats as HearStrong Ambassadors, such as Jerry West, A.C. Green, Robert Horry, and Cedric Ceballos.

As HearStrong Ambassadors, their goal is simple: to encourage people of all ages to proactively monitor their hearing health with a professional and empower those with hearing loss to choose to hear better.

Bill Russell, #6 of the Boston Celtics, poses for an action portrait in 1962 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

After having been team captain of the 1956 U.S. Gold Medal Olympic Basketball Team, Russell joined the Boston Celtics, where he later became team captain. From 1956 through 1969, Russell captivated his teammates, opponents and fans with his shot-blocking, rebounding, passing, and innovative defense.

As a five-time Most Valuable Player and 12-time All Star, Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA Championships in 13 years, a record that has never been approached in any U.S. sport. R

NBA legend Bill Russell attends the Dallas Mavericks game against the Sacramento Kings on February 5, 2015 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.

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BOBBY HUNTER GETS SERIOUS ABOUT HEARING HEALTH AWARENESS Clear communication has always been important to basketball Hall-of-Famer Bobby “Zorro” Hunter.

A stand-out member of the Harlem Globetrotters from 1966-1974, Hunter became known for more than just his strong technical skills on the court. His cheerful personality, quick wit, and motivational speaking skills helped him not only entertain countless fans, but inspire many of them to live their best lives.

Currently the co-host of Coach and Hunter on iHeartRadio, Hunter continues to share his unique talents and knowledge with listeners of all ages.

But for Hunter, communicating is more than just a career. It’s a fundamental part of his overall health and happiness; one that he takes very seriously. For three years, Hunter has worked with EarQ and the HearStrong Foundation to promote hearing health awareness to his listeners and fellow NBRPA members—many of whom he says are experiencing hearing loss.  Utilizing his talent and influence, Hunter has helped shine a spotlight on inspirational individuals who have overcome hearing loss to achieve their goals— including young athletes Victoria Bradford and Matt Adams.

“Hearing loss is misunderstood. My father had hearing loss (but not hearing devices) and he just kept talking louder and louder. It throws off the balance of life. You lose contact with the rhythm of your life that you’ve been consistent with.”

After experiencing firsthand the emotional and physical toll untreated hearing loss can have on a person’s life, Hunter is determined to make his hearing health a priority. He receives annual

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hearing screenings with his local hearing healthcare professional as well as with the EarQ team during annual NBRPA conventions. “(Actively monitoring my hearing health) makes me appreciate the importance of hearing well.”

“This is something I’m recommending to all members to do. There has to be some sort of beacon to help bring (hearing loss) to the conscious level.”

By continuing to help educate others, particularly his teammates and friends, about the importance of choosing to hear better, Hunter hopes to do what he does best—inspire happiness. R

ABOUT THE HEARSTRONG FOUNDATION: The HearStrong Foundation strives to shatter the stigmas surrounding hearing loss and hearing devices by recognizing those who have overcome hearing loss to accomplish their goals. By doing so, HearStrong can inspire the more than 30 million Americans with untreated hearing loss to take control of their overall health by choosing to hear better.

ABOUT EARQ HEARING DEVICES: Offered by a prestigious nationwide network of independent hearing healthcare providers, EarQ hearing devices feature more research and development than any other brand available today.

EarQ utilizes innovative business and marketing practices as well as national public awareness efforts to advocate for excellence in the industry and in patient care. Through its 1,400 hearing healthcare provider locations nationwide, EarQ helps provide greater access to quality hearing healthcare services and products.

COMMUNITY: GIVING BACK NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION RETURNED TO HAITI FOR GOODWILL TRIP APRIL 26-29 The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, returned to Haiti for its second goodwill trip in two years, April 26-30. NBRPA Members participating in this very special delegation were Anthony Bowie, Emmette Bryant, Willie Davis, Jim Fox, Reggie Jordan, Eldridge Recasner, Nicholas Sheppard, Sam Williams and David Wood.

The Goodwill Mission began in the Capital city of Port-au-Prince and once again included philanthropic efforts in the impoverished Central Plateau region of Haiti. As in 2013, the NBRPA partnered with Dr. Arthur Fournier, Professor Emeritus at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and founder of HealthShare Global, to give back in Haiti. In addition, the NBRPA received support from Foundation Enfant Jesus (FEJ) and the Duncan family throughout the trip.

“Our members have adopted Haiti and we are thrilled to return with a delegation to this culturally rich country,” said NBRPA President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “Thank you to Dr. Fournier and Health Share Global for including us in their efforts to make a difference.”

The NBRPA delegation visited schools, orphanages, healthcare facilities and governmental agencies during the three-day agenda. R

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TO THE NBRPA HOW TO SIGN UP FOR AN NBRPA MEMBERSHIP OPTION # 1: Visit www.legendsofbasketball.com • Click BECOME A MEMBER in the upper right hand corner of Home page.

• Click SIGN UP NOW under the Alumni Membership section OPTION #2: Call the NBRPA Office to join or renew your membership (312.913.9400) • Request to speak with Excell Hardy (Director of Membership Sales) OPTION #3: EMAIL the NBRPA at ehardy@legendsofbasketball.com • Add text: “Renew Membership” or “Join Membership” in the Subject Line of email • Request a membership application • Upon receipt of membership application via email, print application, complete and sign membership application • Submit Membership application via fax (312.913.9401) or scan and email application to ehardy@legendsofbasketball.com MEMBERSHIP TYPES: Silver (Annual - $150 Gold (Annual) - $250 Platinum (Lifetime) - $3500

RANDY BROWN: Brown played at New Mexico State University and was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft. He played four seasons in Sacramento, scoring 1,349 points. Brown signed with the Bulls in 1995 where he provided valuable energy and aggressiveness off the bench during the Bulls' second "three-peat" (1996–1998). A fan favorite, Brown was also one of the few veteran players who stayed with the Bulls after the 1998-99 lockout he became a full-time starter and averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds during the remainder of the 1998-99 season. After one more season in Chicago, Brown played briefly for the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns, and he retired from the NBA in 2003.

JOHN WALLACE: John played four seasons at Syracuse where he earned All-American honors and led the Orangemen to the 1996 NCAA championship game. Wallace ranks third on the all-time scoring list at Syracuse with 2,119 points. He also ranks third on the career rebounds list with 1,065 and finished first each of his four years on the team in total rebounds. He ranks third on the career free throw list with (.738 percent).

Wallace places seventh on the career blocks list with 209. In 2000 Wallace was named to the All-Century team. Wallace was drafted 18th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Wallace went on to play eight seasons in the NBA and two in Europe. In 1998 he was the runner up of the NBA Sixth Man-of-the-Year Award while with the Toronto Raptors. John was also voted Community Service Man-of-theYear for his dedication to youth in the city of Toronto.

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FROM THE NBRPA NEWSROOM SHAQUILLE O’NEAL: Following his career at Louisiana State University, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers in the league, winning Rookieof-the-Year in 1992–93 and later leading his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. After four years with the Magic, O'Neal signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, and his fourth NBA championship followed in 2006.

Midway through the 2007–2008 season he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. After a season-anda-half with the Suns, O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009–10 season. O'Neal played for the Boston Celtics in the 2010–11 season before retiring. O'Neal's individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.

He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); the other players are Willis Reed in 1970 and Michael Jordan in 1996 and 1998. He ranks 6th all-time in points scored, 5th in field goals, 13th in rebounds, and 7th in blocks.

ZAID ABDUL-AZIZ: Donald Smith changed his name to Zaid Abdul-Aziz in 1976. The 6'9" Abdul-Aziz starred at Iowa State University before being drafted by the NBA's Cincinnati Royals in 1968. He played ten seasons in the league as a member of the Royals, Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Houston Rockets, Buffalo Braves, and Boston Celtics.

Nicknamed "The Kangaroo", he had his finest season in 1971–1972, when he averaged 13.8 points and 11.3 rebounds for Seattle. He retired in 1978 with career totals of 4,557 points and 4,065 rebounds.

JOHN BAUM: Born in Philadelphia, he played collegiately for the Temple University.

Baum, a 6’5” forward was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 15th round of the 1968 NBA Draft and by the Chicago Bulls in the 2nd round (23rd pick overall) of the 1969 NBA Draft. He played for the Chicago Bulls (1969–71) in the NBA and for the New York Nets (1971–73), Memphis Tams and Indiana Pacers (1973–74) in the ABA for 244 games.

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GREG OSTERTAG: After his successful high school career, Ostertag joined the basketball team at the University of Kansas. Standing 7-foot-2 and weighing 280 pounds, Ostertag provided a strong presence in the paint, helping the Jayhawks reach the NCAA Final Four in 1993. Statistically, his best season was his junior year (1993–94), when he averaged 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Most impressive, he set a school record by blocking 97 shots that year. He graduated in 1995 with career totals of 968 points and 770 rebounds, along with 258 blocked shots – the highest total in the history of Kansas and the Big 8 Conference. The Utah Jazz selected Ostertag with the 28th pick in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft. Ostertag saw limited action in his rookie year, but emerged as Utah's starting center during his second season. The Jazz made back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, with Ostertag providing strong defense in the playoffs against the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O'Neal.

RORY WHITE: White played collegiately at the University of South Alabama from 1977-82.

He was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 1979 and earned All Conference honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In 1983, White was honored when South Alabama retired his jersey. He had a five-year NBA playing career during which he averaged 7.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 16.7 minutes per game.

White's NBA playing career included three and one-half seasons with the Clippers (1984-87), after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns (fourth round of the 1982 NBA Draft) and playing a partial season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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WALTER MCCARTY: McCarty was drafted in the first round of the 1996 draft (19th overall pick) by the New York Knicks, where he played one season before an October 1997 trade sent him to the Boston Celtics.

He played seven and a half seasons with the Celtics -playing initially under Coach Rick Pitino. McCarty averaged a career-best 9.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in his first season there in 1997-98. He moved to the Phoenix Suns in the middle of the 2004-05 season and finished his NBA playing career with the Los Angeles Clippers.

His NBA scoring high was 27 points with the Celtics against New Jersey and he grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds against Orlando. McCarty was a starting forward on the Pitino-coached University of Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA Championship team.

He started 32 of 36 games as a senior during that championship season when he averaged a career-high 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. He was second on that deep title squad with 206 rebounds and 28 threepoint goals.

FROM THE NBRPA NEWSROOM WAYNE SIMIEN: Simien was a member of the Miami Heat team that won the 2005–06 NBA championship.

Simien played in college at the University of Kansas where he was a consensus first team AllAmerican his senior year in 2005. Simien was selected with the 29th overall selection of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, with whom he won the championship in 2006.

DARRELL ARMSTRONG: Armstrong first signed with the NBA as a free agent for the Orlando Magic in late 1994–95, playing in the last 3 games of the regular season. Armstrong won the NBA Sixth Man-ofthe-Year Award and the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1999, thus becoming the first player in NBA history to win both awards simultaneously. His career year was in 1999-00, averaging 16.2 ppg in 31 mpg. During his nine years in Orlando, the team never posted a losing record, making the post-season seven times.

TAMARA BOWIE: Bowie, a native of Lansing, Michigan, starred for the Cardinals from 1999-2003. She is the Cardinals’ all-time leading scorer at 2,091 career points, which ranks seventh all-time in Mid-American Conference history. She set the Ball State single-season scoring record with 618 points in the 2002-03 season and also owns the BSU single-game scoring record at 40 points on two different occasions. Bowie was a two-time MAC Player of the Year recipient (2001-02 & 2002-03) becoming the only Cardinal to win the award multiple times. She was named Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-America three times during her career as well as First Team All-Region three times. She spent the 2007-08 season in Israel, playing with Hapoel Tel Aviv. She played in 13 of her team’s 21 games last season and averaged 24.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Bowie was originally drafted in the 2003 WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics with the 36th selection.

TONY DELK: As a player at Kentucky, Delk was a second team AP All-American in 1996 after leading the Wildcats to the 1996 NCAA National Championship. He is UK’s all-time leader in 3-point field goals made (283) and ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list with 1,890 career points. He led the Wildcats in scoring as a sophomore, junior and senior and concluded his career with a NCAA title game record seven 3-pointers to earn Final Four MVP honors. As the 16th pick of the Charlotte Hornets, he spent 10 years in the NBA including stints with Golden State, Sacramento, Phoenix, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit. As a member of the Phoenix Suns, he scored a career-high 53 points against the Sacramento Kings, Jan. 2, 2001. He ended his career with 4,957 points and averaged 9.1 points per game. Delk also played internationally in Greece and helped Panathinaikos win the Euroleague Championship in 2006-07. R

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COMING THIS AUGUST...

WWW.REBOUNDMAGAZINE.COM WWW.VOICEAMERICASPORTS.COM

RADIO

FROM THE NBRPA NEWSROOM

MATT FISH NAMED FIRST-EVER MEMBER INTERN FOR NEW NBRPA PROGRAM The NBRPA announced its first-ever Member Internship as part of a new program designed to deliver rich sports business experience to their Members. As part of this new program, Matt Fish was awarded the first 6-month member-internship after all finalists interviewed with Chairman of the Board Thurl Bailey, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis and President & CEO Arnie D. Fielkow.

Fish, who holds two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees, was selected from a robust pool of candidates. He begins the internship on June 1 and will be with the NBRPA until November 30. A new member-intern will join the NBRPA staff in Chicago in January, 2016 and application procedures will be posted in October.

“Many of our members have expressed the desire to work full-time in sports and providing real-life training at the NBRPA office through this program was a nobrainer,” said Bailey. “I’d like to welcome Matt Fish as our first – but not last – member-intern.

We expect this program to be a lasting opportunity for our members to gain valuable career training while contributing to our overall operational success.”

Davis added:“We had many qualified candidates apply for the member-internship and look forward to talking to more interested members as this program progresses and grows. Matt Fish stood out to us because of his education, as well as his dedication to the NBRPA as publisher of Rebound Magazine and Phoenix Chapter President.”

Fish will move to Chicago for the member-internship and office with the NBRPA’s national staff. He will learn all aspects of the business – programming, sales, marketing, communications and more – as part of the 6-month program.

“I am excited to join the NBRPA team in Chicago,” Fish said. “Learning and gaining experience alongside our corporate staff will no doubt assist me in my desire to work in the business of sports.” R Rebound Magazine 47

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SUCCESS INSIDER SECURITY AND IDENTITY THEFT This past May 2015 the IRS got hacked and over 100,000 taxpayers’ identities were stolen resulting in false tax returns being filed. In addition, phone scams are rampant with calls from imposters scaring innocent victims into paying what amounts to extortion money to avoid being supposedly sued by the IRS. In fact, according to the IRS, in the last two years, more than 400,000 people have filed complaints with the U.S. Treasury Department about these IRS imposters. More than 3,000 people have been defrauded out of a combined total of more than $15 million. I myself have received one of those calls and was a victim of having a false return filed under my social security number.

Most fraud for many of us occurs through our credit cards being used for false charges, the credit card companies have become very responsive to contacting card members as soon as a suspicious charge hits our accounts.

Many times you won’t have control of your information. For instance when there is a data breach at a large company that holds your data it has nothing to do with any security precautions that you take. A recent breach at Anthem Insurance impacted individuals who were customers of Anthem, Inc. companies Amerigroup, Anthem and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, Caremore, and Unicare, and some employees of self-insured employer groups.

Additionally customers of Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies who used their Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance in one of fourteen states where Anthem, Inc. operates may be impacted including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

What does this have to with Professional Athletes?

Most professional athletes are traveling half of the year, and may have an agent, financial advisor or manager handling their bills. So it becomes important for you to be responsible to reviewing your statements and charges because your manager/ agent may not know if charges are valid. Additionally, for a few dollars a month, you can have your credit monitored through any one of the three large credit bureaus; Experian, Transunion, or Equifax.

However, with the IRS, there is no one watching out for you.

With IRS getting hacked and false returns being filed, it is also important that you are on top of your taxes and ensure that that they are filed on time and accurately. In addition, the IRS has regulations that require your written authorization for any tax professional to release your sensitive data. You have rights if you determine that your advisor sent your sensitive data in an unsecured manner. If you believe your tax return information has been disclosed or used improperly in a manner unauthorized by law without your permission, you may contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) by telephone at 1-800-366-4484, or by email to: complaints@tigta.treas.gov.

Make sure that you have a reputable professional handling your taxes that has experience working with the IRS should there be any problems and is able to help you understand the processes and knows the responsibility of having your sensitive information in their offices.

We now have to lock our cars, lock our houses, lock our phones, computers; we have password programs with a master passwords that protect our passwords, so don’t let your identity go unlocked, watch your stuff, know who has your information and make sure they keep it safe. R

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EARL LLOYD honored

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E

FOREVER LEGEND: EARL LLOYD

arl Lloyd, the first African American to play in an NBA game, honored by his alma mater, West Virginia State University, on February 28. The university will unveil a statue in Lloyd’s honor in its new convocation center and gymnasium and name the concourse “Earl Lloyd Lobby.”

Today, at 85-years old, Lloyd is an active member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA). The events at West Virginia State University this week will be attended by NBRPA President & CEO Arnie Fielkow, NBRPA Founder Oscar Robertson and NBRPA Legend Bill Russell.

Lloyd led West Virginia State to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference and tournament championships, in 1948 and 1949. He was named AllConference three times (1948–50) and was named All-American twice by the Pittsburgh Courier (1949– 50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game, while leading West Virginia State to a second place finish in the CIAA tournament. In 1947-48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States.

Following his outstanding career at West Virginia State, Lloyd was selected in the 9th Round of the 1950 NBA Draft by the old Washington Capitols. And on Halloween night of 1950, the rugged rookie power forward made history as the first African American to play in an NBA game.

Today, Lloyd pulls no punches – speaking with the same honest grit and spirit that characterized his nine NBA seasons as a fearless defender and rebounder.

“If you were a black baby born in segregated Virginia in 1928, your prospects were slim and none,” Lloyd said when asked to look back more than six decades to his NBA debut. “I call it an incredible journey. To me, it was just a basketball game. Now as years wear on, things crystalize as you climb that chronological ladder.”

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Lloyd, a ninth-round draft pick from West Virginia State, where he was twice named an All-American, entered the league alongside African Americans Chuck Cooper and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton.

Cooper may have been the first African American drafted by an NBA team and Clifton was the first African American to sign an NBA contract, but Lloyd made it into a game before either of his counterparts after an inspired training camp performance under player-coach Horace Albert “Bones” McKinney in Washington (whom Lloyd refers to glowingly as a “giant of a man”).

“Training camp with the Washington Capitols was the first time in my life the playing field was truly level,” Lloyd said. “I felt like I was a giant Tasmanian devil. I was driven.”

Lloyd only played seven games for Washington that season before being drafted into the Army.

But he returned in 1952 to play for the Syracuse Nationals, after the Caps folded. Lloyd became a key component of Syracuse’s 1955 NBA Championship squad, becoming one of the first two African-American players with an NBA ring, alongside teammate Jim Tucker.

“The Syracuse Nationals … we were a great team,” Lloyd said of the franchise that eventually became the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Knowing your role is only half of it. You have to accept your role, and mine was defense – I chased around high scorers. Every stop 52 Rebound Magazine

FOREVER LEGEND: EARL LLOYD I made – high school, college, the Army, pros – I was on a championship team. Deep down, I like to think I made these things possible.”

And while he’s slow to admit it, the humble and charming Lloyd opened doors and helped make playing in the NBA possible for thousands of African Americans since his debut in 1950. Baseball’s Jackie Robinson receives far more acclaim for breaking his sport’s racial barrier in 1947, but Lloyd – alongside Cooper and Clifton – had a similar impact on basketball.

“People try to compare me with Jackie Robinson, but I don’t know about that,” Lloyd said. “He was one of my heroes.

There was a totally different attitude in basketball than baseball. It was going to be somebody sooner or later.”

a terrible thing and supersedes everything. Of course you’d get angry, but you couldn’t let anger control you. You had to manage your anger and – if channeled properly – that’s a weapon.”

Lloyd harnessed that weapon to the tune of 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during his nine-year NBA career. Today – as a proud Basketball Hall of Fame inductee – Lloyd said he and his wife Charlie are “extremely retired.” When he looks back on his career, the NBA’s first African American player is nostalgic, but also realistic.

“I entered the league with two great guys and we felt the racial climate in 1950 … I’m not so sure how much the world has changed since then,” Lloyd said. “But how was it? Playing pro basketball beat the hell out of working … smashed it to smithereens.” R

Yet as he downplays his role as a racial pioneer, Lloyd readily admits the racial climate of Washington D.C. in 1950 was anything but welcoming to African Americans.

“If the truth sounds bitter, it’s not me being bitter … it’s just the truth,” Lloyd said. “Hatred is

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IN REMEMBRANCE: EARL LLOYD

The National Basketball Retired Players Association said Lloyd "forever changed the game of basketball" on Halloween night in 1950. The organization hailed him as "a leader, a pioneer, a soldier."

Lloyd missed the 1951-52 season while in the Army. "Modest and willing to share his story with anyone when asked, Earl offered a vivid window into our nation's segregated past and personified change in this country," the NBRPA said. "A truly historic figure in American history has passed."

EARL LLOYD, NBA’S FIRST BLACK PLAYER, DIES AT 86 Earl Lloyd was a player and coach, an NBA champion and later a Hall of Famer. Within the basketball world, he's something much bigger. He was a pioneer.

game with skill, class, and pride.

His legacy survives in the league he helped integrate, and the entire NBA family will strive to always honor his memory."

Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died February 26 at 86. West Virginia State, his alma mater, confirmed the death but did not provide details. "The NBA family has lost one of its patriarchs," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

"Earl Lloyd, the first AfricanAmerican to play in an NBA game, was as inspirational as he was understated. He was known as a modest gentleman who played the

Lloyd made his NBA debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals, just before black players Sweetwater Clifton and Chuck Cooper played their first games. Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title, joining teammate Jim Tucker as the first black players to play on a championship team.

Lloyd later became the first black assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons in 1968.

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The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 560 regular-season games in nine seasons with Washington, Syracuse and Detroit. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor, Lloyd was 22-55 as Detroit's coach in 197172 and the first nine games in the 1972-73 season.

"Our franchise will always remember the impact and contributions Earl made to the game of basketball and to the Detroit Pistons as a player, head coach and television analyst," the Pistons said. Lloyd, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, lived in Crossville, Tennessee. West Virginia State President Brian Hemphill called Lloyd a "trailblazer who was a true champion."

"When Earl stepped out on the court on that fateful date in 1950, this remarkable man rightfully earned his place in the historic civil rights movement and, more important, he opened the door to equality in America.� R

FOREVER LEGEND: ANTHONY MASON Anthony Mason, the rugged power forward who was a defensive force in the NBA from the 1990s into the early 21st century, has died. He was 48.

New York Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz confirmed Mason's death, which was first reported Saturday by the New York Daily News.

The 6-foot-7 Mason won the NBA's Sixth Man award in 1995 with a Knicks team that was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in one of its classic clashes with the Indiana Pacers. Mason also won all-defensive-team honors two years later with the Charlotte Hornets.

Mason's career averages — 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds — doesn’t tell the full story of his game. A solid, muscular presence down low, Mason was there to play defense, and on coach Pat Riley's bruising teams, he could shine.

At Tennessee State, Mason was dominant, and was the school's first All-Ohio Valley Conference selection. In the 1987-88 season, he took a schoolrecord 247 free throws.

Mason went to high school in the New York City borough of Queens, where his son Anthony Jr. would later play for St. John's University before going on to a pro career in the minor leagues and overseas.

Another son, Antoine, is at Auburn this season after transferring from Niagara, where he graduated after finishing second nationally with 25.6 points per game last season. R Anthony Mason #14 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a foul shot against the Sacramento Kings during a game played on January 12, 1997 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.

Mason played for New York from 1991-1996, and then for the Charlotte Hornets until 2000. He made his only All-Star team in 2001 as a member of the Miami Heat, after reuniting with Riley.

He wasn't all grit, though. Despite his plodding look, Mason was a nimble athlete and deft ballhandler who often had words or designs styled into his hair.

Mason was drafted in the third round out of Tennessee State in 1988 by Portland, but he never played for the Trail Blazers. After a brief stint overseas, he played sparingly in 21 games for the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets before he finally caught on with Riley's defense-first Knicks in 1991. He was a force for them as they made a run to the 1994 Finals, and clashed with other powerful Eastern Conference teams, including Michael Jordan's Bulls.

With the Hornets, Mason played three strong seasons in four years, missing 1998-99 due to injury, before Riley brought him to Miami where he was coaching a Heat team that played with the same style as those Knicks teams with which Mason flourished.

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IN REMEMBRANCE: MARQUES HAYNES The world of basketball lost a legend on May 22nd.

Marques Haynes, longtime member of the Harlem Globetrotters died at age 89 in Plano, Texas. The Sand Springs, Oklahoma native was arguably the greatest dribbler the game has ever seen. He was known to be able to dribble the basketball an incredible six times per second.

Mr. Haynes was the first member of the Harlem Globetrotters to be inducted in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. His longevity in the sport spanned over four decades. He played at Booker T. Washington High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and then at Langston University where he led his team in scoring four straight years while compiling a 112-3 record, including a 59 game win streak.

The Haynes led Langston team played an exhibition game against the Globetrotters in 1946. While beating them Mr. Haynes impressed the owner of the Globetrotters. He then went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1947-53 and again from 1972-79.

He also founded his own team, the Harlem Magicians after turning down offers from the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers and Philadelphia Warriors.

The Harlem Globetrotters, under the leadership of Mr. Haynes, was talented enough to twice beat the George Mikan led Minneapolis Lakers in back to back years, 1948-49. Haynes is considered to be one of the best players never to play on an NBA team.

Marques Haynes’ epic longevity in the sport are highlighted by the estimated 12,000+ games played, traveling over 4 million miles, and visiting nearly 100 countries in his 46 year playing career.

While a Globetrotter, Haynes played an exhibition in Germany attended by over 75,000 fans which is considered to be the highest attendance for a basketball game in history. R

Former members of the Harlem Globetrotters Marques Haynes (L), 'Sweet' Lou Dunbar (M), and ‘Jumpin’ Jackie Jackson (R) pose for a portrait at First Union Center on March 12, 2003.

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ANNOUNCES REBOUNDNETWORK.COM LAUNCH

Announcing the launch of ReboundNetwork.com.

We would like to take this opportunity to announce the launch of Reboundnetwork.com. Look for our first sports interview show “Conversations with Fish”, featuring Matt Fish. Relax and enjoy this personal look into the lives and careers of retired Basketball players as they reminisce about their lives before, during, and after playing in the pro’s. ReboundNetwork.com is available 24 hours a day on your pc, tablet or smart phone device. Look for additional programming as we explore the history of professional, and collegiate sports through various guest interviewers. Look for expanded programming to include local collegiate and professional sports.

So visit reboundnetwork.com to sign up to receive updates and personal announcements about future programming about the personal journeys of the professional players you love so much.

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Real conversations with real athletes, all at the touch of a button.

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