2019 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

There were many new and familiar faces around Charlotte during the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend. More than 150 former NBA and WNBA Legends met for the NBRPA’s yearly event, which celebrates the growth of the league and its players. 

The NBRPA kicked-off the weekend on Thursday evening with a champagne reception at the host hotel. Upon arrival, the members mixed and mingled with each other and the NBRPA Board of Directors joined the reception following their meeting with NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.

On Friday morning, the Legends Lounge opened to the masses and the buzz and excitement around Charlotte was evident. The NBRPA’s key partners were on full display, including Spalding, Tissot, Budweiser, Pepsi, Cheurlin Champagne, Wintrust, NuEnerchi and many others. The lounge also featured a live DJ and basketball court, which became the central hub for members and their families throughout the weekend.

The NBRPA team planned and executed its first annual Legends Media Day at NBA All-Star Weekend, which took place on Friday. The team hosted 10 national media outlets and coordinated more than 50 interviews for 25-plus former players. Following media day, the NBRPA held a Welcome Party at the Ivey's, which included a toast from Isiah Thomas and Spencer Haywood.

On Saturday morning, David Thompson and Paul Westphal were honored at the Legends Breakfast with Athletes In Action. Both legends were called upon for their exceptional integrity, service, professionalism and character both on and off the court.

Following the Legends Breakfast, the NBRPA hosted a full-court press: prep for success clinic for 30 youngsters, in conjunction with Jr. NBA. In addition, the NBRPA Chapters held several community events throughout the weekend, including the Shooting For Peace program which provides encouragement and guidance for students of lower socioeconomic status. The chapter presidents also visited five local high schools in Charlotte, speaking to over 1,000 students about the importance of education and life experiences.

The festivities carried over into Saturday night, where approximately 200 legends and guests came to "hit the links" at Topgolf Charlotte. The night was filled with great energy and excitement while the Slam Dunk, Three-Point and Skills competition were played at the Spectrum Center. From basketballs to birdies, this event was a highlight of the weekend.

Rounding out the weekend was the Legends Brunch on Sunday morning. Muggsy Bogues, Glen Rice, Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry were all honored at the Brunch, which took place at the Charlotte Convention Center and aired later that afternoon on NBA-TV. Hornets Chairman and Charlotte native Michael Jordan made a special appearance at the event and gave special recognition to the 150-plus Legends in the room and the legacy and impact they continue to have on the game. 

CHICAGO (Feb. 21, 2019) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) has named 14-year NBA veteran, Caron Butler to its Board of Directors. Butler will serve a three-year term, effective immediately.

Butler, an NBA Champion (2011) and two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008), recorded a career spanning 14 seasons, including stints with the Miami Heat (2002-04), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-05), Washington Wizards (2005-10), Dallas Mavericks (2010-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-13), Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14), Oklahoma City Thunder (2014), Detroit Pistons (2014-15) and Sacramento Kings (2015-16). Since retiring from the league, Butler has made regular appearances on NBA-TV, ESPN and Fox Sports. In addition to television broadcasting, he has continued to grow his personal brand, Tuff Juice, through a series of podcast and content offerings.

“Caron is the epitome of a retired professional athlete,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “He has an incredible understanding of what it took to be a professional athlete and more importantly, what it takes to succeed in life after the game.”

Butler joins the existing NBRPA Board, which includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, and the following Directors, Grant Hill, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.

“The opportunity to work alongside Spencer Haywood and so many others that I looked up to throughout my basketball career is incredibly exciting for me,” said Butler. “I’ve watched this organization grow immensely over the last few years, and I look forward to utilizing my own skillset to continue moving the organization forward in helping players transition to life after the game.”

As part of the NBA China Games, the NBRPA, along with current and former players, seized the opportunity to visit Shanghai and Shenzhen and see first-hand the growing influence the NBA and its players have on the global stage. Current stars and Legends, Jermaine O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, Julius Erving, Jim Jackson, Caron Butler, Sam Perkins and Michael Finley, joined forces for a week-long trip that combined the history, passion and culture of China into an unforgettable experience.

“It was a great experience,” Butler said. “Being amongst so many of the all-time greats and to be able to enjoy that camaraderie and share this experience with them was incredible.”

The reaction to the NBA’s arrival in China was spectacular. The energy, size of crowds and the pure joy and excitement from the thousands of fans that welcomed the NBA’s arrival to their city was something that had to be witnessed first-hand.

“I’ve traveled so much internationally on behalf of the NBA, so I see a lot of it,” said Butler. “It amazes you when you are there in it. No one can describe what it is like. You need to be there, in the moment, to truly get a sense of the magnitude.”

As part of the trip, the Legends took part in a series of fan and partner events. Fan Appreciation Day, which took place in Shanghai, gave fans the chance to interact with their favorite NBA stars and Legends in a game-like atmosphere. For Butler, who has been to China and overseas numerous times on behalf of the association, said that this experience was really special.

“I think it’s important to honor and pay respects to the legacy of the game and the people that paved the way,” Butler said. “From my experience this year in China, it’s pretty special to see the wealth of young talent that recognizes the history of this game.”

The growth of the NBA on a global scale can’t go unnoticed; the impact…undeniable. From an international perspective, the focus has shifted to youth and growth in key regions around the world. The game’s international appeal, combined with the NBA’s savviness and forward-thinking, have combined to create a fan base in China that is hungry for more basketball.

“Every time I go to China, I see the intensity and wealth of fans over there,” said Butler. “It continues to grow and there is no indication of declining. The production was amazing. It was impressive to see the display of production by the Association.”

For the Legends to continue to be a part of the game and events like this is special. But above all, the most rewarding part was seeing the reaction from fans and the joy that they can bring to people. Nothing was more special than that.

“To see the faces of those young people, the fun that they were having, it reemphasizes why we do what we do,” said Jackson. “To be a part of that and to still feel like we are making an impact is an incredible feeling and something I want to continue doing.”

The NBRPA is proud to announce the opening of the 2018 Dave DeBusschere Scholarship application process.  Developed to provide opportunities for higher learning, this program awards college scholarships to NBRPA members, their spouses and  offspring (natural, step, legally adopted or grandchild) to help meet the rising costs of higher education.

To date, the NBRPA has donated more than $1 million in scholarship money to former players and their children. Please review the scholarship timeline and highlighted eligibility requirements listed below.

Earl Lloyd Scholarship: In honor of the recently departed NBA pioneer, Earl Lloyd, the NBA Players Legacy Fund (Fund) has pledged an annual, restricted gift to the NBRPA for the purpose of providing significant financial support to low income recipients of the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship. The Lloyd Scholarship will be available to the children and grandchildren of NBRPA members who have played Three (3) full years in the NBA and therefore, eligible to receive assistance from the Fund.

Please print and review the attached application for a complete list of eligibility requirements, criteria and information on how to complete the application process outlined.

SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE

May 11, 2018:            Scholarship Applications Distributed to Membership

June 4, 2018:             Applications Due

June 18, 2018:           Applicant Denial Notification

June 25, 2018:           Earl Lloyd Determinations 

July 9, 2018:              Scholarship Recipients Announced

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify as an Eligible Candidate (“Eligible Candidate”), one must be a current NBRPA member, the offspring (natural, step, legally adopted or grandchild) or the spouse of a current NBRPA member.  In addition, the offspring or spouse of a deceased NBRPA member who was in good standing at the time of his or her death will be deemed an Eligible Candidate for Five (5) years after the member’s death.

  • In addition an eligible candidate must be either (1) a high school senior who will graduate in the spring and enter a college, university or certain vocational or technical school within the U.S. that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting association or agency, (2) any high school graduate who has been accepted to an educational institution, or (3) a student currently enrolled full time in such an educational institution who is returning to school the following fall.

 

  • Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.75 or better to qualify for an award.

 

  • No family member of the NBRPA’s staff will qualify as an Eligible Candidate.

 

Eligible candidates click HERE  to apply 

 

Should you have questions regarding the 2018 Dave DeBusschere Scholarship please contact Excell Hardy at 312.913.9400 or ehardy@legendsofbasketball.com.