NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.
Each month, we'll spotlight NBRPA members from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.
Kendrick Perkins
NBA
Known as one of the NBA’s most intimidating enforcers, and one of its most compassionate teammates, Kendrick Perkins had a tremendous 14-year basketball career. Perkins was drafted to the NBA straight out of high school. He played for numerous organizations throughout his career and captured his first NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008. In 2011, he went to play for OKC where he led the thunder to a finals appearance the following year.
Following his retirement, Perkins became an on-air sports commentator and analyst for ESPN and NBC Sports Boston. Perkins is using his big personality and strong player relationships to deliver unique basketball insights on numerous shows including NBA Today, Get Up, First Take, and Sportscenter.
George Adams
ABA
George Adams was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He played college basketball for the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs where he is currently the leading scorer and rebounder in program history.
Adams played alongside Artis Gilmore during the 1968-69 season. Bulldogs head coach Eddie Holbrook commented on the two calling them “two of the hardest-working players [he] ever coached”.
Adams was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the third round of the 1972 NBA Draft. He spent his playing career with the San Diego Conquistadors of the American Basketball Association (ABA) where he was coached by Wilt Chamberlain and K.C. Jones.
He was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and inducted into the Cleveland County fellowship of Christian-Athletes Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Carolyn Moos
WNBA
Carolyn Moos was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota where, at an early age in her life, she would fall in love with the game of basketball. Through hard work and determination, Carolyn would become one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. She would garnish up a Blue Star Index ranking as the number 1 post player in the country out of high school. Moos would also be voted as the consensus Minnesota basketball player of the year unanimously by the Associated Press, USA Today, Gatorade, and the State of Minnesota.
Carolyn would choose to play for Stanford University, where she would become a two-time All-Pac 10 player before being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. Carolyn would go on to play professional basketball all around the world and become acknowledged by FIBA to participate in a highly decorated All-Star game in France.
After her professional basketball career, she would become a certified personal trainer. She would create Fitforlivinglife.com where she provides yoga workouts and nutrition content. She is also Director of Fitness and Wellness at Belle Haven Country Club. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and coach, Carolyn Moos continues to inspire others through her diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to personal growth and social impact.
Hubert “Geese” Ausbie
Harlem Globetrotters
Hubert Ausbie attended Douglas High School where he played basketball and baseball. During a tournament his senior year, he averaged 40 points per game scoring 70,54, and 62 in three consecutive games. Ausbie went to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors. He was one of the leading college scorers in the NCAA’s College Division (later being called Division II) averaging 30 points per game.
Ausbie was offered contracts from MLB and NBA however he chose to join the Harlem Globetrotters after his wife sent letters describing his play to the team’s founder and him attending an open workout in 1961. Ausbie become the “Crown Prince of Basketball” for his dazzling play and irrepressible pranks on the court.
Ausbie retired in 1985 and pursued other interests such as involvement in Drug-Free Youth Program and Traveling Museum showcase. He served on the advisory committee for the National Youth Sports Program. In 1994, he received a Globetrotters Legends ring, a recognition given to only a few elite former players. The next year, he became head coach and manager of operations for the Globetrotters. His jersey number 35 was retired by the Globetrotters in 2017.