NBRPA and Deuce Team Up to Provide Unique Competitive Golf Experience for NBA & WNBA Legends
-Legends to Compete Alongside Amateur Golfers in 10 Markets Across U.S. and in the Dominican Republic to Raise Money for Local Organizations-
CHICAGO, Illinois (October 6, 2022) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association and Deuce, today announced a collaboration to bring an unique golf experience to NBRPA members and amateur golfers – as part of the Deuce AM Tour, that will feature events at ten top golf courses across the U.S. and culminate at the world renowned Casa de Campo Resort & Villas located in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
The Deuce Am Tour aims to provide an atmosphere for Legends to enjoy a premium event at exclusive clubs and play alongside some of the top amateurs in the world. In addition, both, the NBRPA and Deuce organizations will collaborate to raise money in every market, in which an event is held, for a local organization that is dedicated to increasing diversity in the sport of golf. Legends and amateur participants will also be treated to top-notch entertainment, including – Pairing parties, events for cigar, fashion and whiskey aficionados, live music, industry networking and much more.
“We are excited to join forces with Deuce to be able to bring these types of events to where so many of our members enjoy being – on the golf course,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President & CEO. “This partnership, with a fast growing, Black-owned company, allows us to present our members with an incredible opportunity to further their involvement in amateur golf tours and the golf industry as a whole.”
This alliance will enhance the competitive atmosphere at our national Amateur Tour events for our golfers and also for the former basketball players that will transition that naturally competitive spirit from the court to the fairways." Says Tarek DeLavallade, President of Deuce & the Deuce Am Tour. "Our goal is to create a memorable experience for everyone involved from the players, sponsors, and others who will be there to enjoy the all of our national events."
The Deuce AM golfing tour schedule will feature events from October through August 2023 in the following cities:
October 17 – Potomac Shores Golf Club, Washington D.C.
November 20 – Cowboys Golf Club, Dallas, TX
December 12 – Turnberry Golf Club, Miami, FL
January 22 – Keene’s Pointe Golf Club - Orlando, FL
February – Las Vegas, NV
March – Phoenix, AZ
April – Atlanta, GA
May – NY/NJ metro area
June – Chicago, IL
August – Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
*Exact dates of later events will be announced at a later date.
Deuce AM Tournaments are competitive and flighted and will allow NBRPA Legends to choose to compete in the Top 4 Flights, where they will be required to carry a USGA GHIN handicap number that can be verified. If Legends do not have a GHIN number, they will have the opportunity to play in the Hackerish Flight.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at www.legendsofbasketball.com.
About Deuce: Headquartered in Windermere, Fl., Deuce is one of the fastest growing brand in the Golf and Lifestyle Industry. The parent company that manages the e-commerce brand Deuce, Promotional Product Portal with over 25k items Deuce Promo, as well as the 11 Destination Amateur Event Series - Deuce Am Tour. The brand’s purpose is to challenge what a brand is capable of doing in an industry typically confined to a category or collection. Deuce specializes in headwear, golf gloves, belts, luxury duffle bags, leather cigar pouches and humidors, lighters and much more. A transformative company that is shifting annually and challenging not only the industry, but themselves to grow beyond the ecosystem of lifestyle accessories.
Fans can stream the game via PPV.COM or watch on TV through their cable, satellite, or telco provider
NBRPA to serve as title partner for this charity exhibition, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. CT in Frisco, Texas, benefiting the McLendon Foundation
FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 3, 2022) – Powerhouse college basketball programs Gonzaga and Tennessee, both of whom project as preseason top-10 programs heading into the 2022-23 season, will play in the inaugural Legends of Basketball Classic, a charity exhibition game on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The game is set for 8 p.m. CT, and iNDEMAND – the largest distributor of PPV and on demand programming in North America – will serve as the exclusive streaming and TV distributor of the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the McLendon Foundation.
iNDEMAND will carry the game in the U.S. and Canada on its streaming service PPV.COM, and through cable, satellite, and telco PPV providers. Fans can stream the game live online at PPV.COM, the first PPV streaming service to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports events. PPV.COM’s ground-breaking digital video technology allows fans to engage in live chat with other fans & experts, as well as post fan-react videos and other activities. Customers can also order the Legends of Basketball Classic on TV through their cable, satellite, or telco providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Dish, Verizon Fios, Altice, and other leading providers. The suggested retail price will be $9.99 on all PPV platforms.
The McLendon Foundation was established in 1999 by National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA) to honor the legacy of Hall of Fame coach John McLendon who was a pioneer in the field of athletics, the game of basketball, and the civil rights arena. The McLendon Foundation’s mission is to empower and develop minorities who aspire to be principled leaders in athletics administration by providing educational resources and access to a life-long community of mentors. All organizational planning for the Foundation directly aligns with the values of Coach McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership and Mentorship.
Intersport, a sports marketing and events agency that will also manage the Aurora Health Care Brew City Battle, Citi Shamrock Classic, Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off, Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off, CBS Sports Classic and Legends of Basketball Showcase during the non-conference season, will manage all ticketing, game operations and event production for the exhibition. The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) will serve as the title partner for the charity exhibition. Founded in 1992, the NBRPA serves former professional basketball players in their transition into life after basketball.
"This is going to be great! In partnering with the nationally renowned Gonzaga and Tennessee basketball programs, along with pay-per-view content industry leader iNDEMAND, we are going to bring a March-like atmosphere to college basketball’s preseason,” said Intersport Founder and CEO Charlie Besser. “We love building innovative events in the college basketball space – we’ve been doing it for decades. In this case it's especially meaningful because it benefits the important work of the McLendon Foundation.”
Mark Boccardi, SVP, Programming & Marketing for iNDEMAND & PPV.COM, said, “This will be the first opportunity for Gonzaga and Tennessee fans to see their teams in action this season. We’re proud to be a part of this benefit for the McLendon Foundation, and looking forward to delivering a viewing experience that’s easy to order and great quality.”
Gonzaga returns All-American and Player of the Year candidate Drew Timme along with a bevy of contributors, including starters Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther, from last season’s team that went 28-4 and spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. In addition, the Bulldogs welcome one of the country’s top transfers – SoCon Player of the Year Malachi Smith – to Spokane this season, along with 7-foot LSU transfer Efton Reid III. Head coach Mark Few is the nation’s winningest active coach by percentage at .836, carrying a 657-129 record in his 23 seasons with the program.
Tennessee returns four of its top-five scorers from last season’s team that finished 27-8 overall, won the SEC Tournament and made a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Vols return first-team All-SEC guard Santiago Vescovi, upperclassmen starters Josiah-Jordan James, Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic, and also bring in a highly touted recruiting class highlighted by McDonald’s All-American Julian Phillips. Head coach Rick Barnes, entering his 36th season as a head coach and eighth with the Vols, is one of six active coaches with more than 750 career wins.
HOW TO WATCH ‘LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL CLASSIC’ ON PPV
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $9.99
Online/Streaming: PPV.COM (no subscription needed)
TV: Available to order through major cable & satellite systems, including Xfinity,
Spectrum, Contour, Dish (channel 461), Verizon Fios, Altice and others
In Knoxville: Xfinity channel 1201, Spectrum channel 2100
In Nashville: Xfinity channel 1201, Spectrum channel 2100
In Chattanooga: Xfinity channel 1201, Spectrum channel 2100
In Memphis: Xfinity channel 1201, Spectrum channel 2100
In Spokane: Xfinity channel 1201
In Seattle: Xfinity channel 1201
Tickets for the Classic will go on sale Friday and can be purchased by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Comerica Center box office. Fans interested in attending the game can register to receive direct email alerts regarding ticket news and other event updates by visiting www.legendsofbasketball.com/classic. Those who register for these ticket alerts will be eligible for access to an exclusive one-day presale beginning on Thursday. The Comerica Center opened in 2003 and is the home of the NBA G-League’s Texas Legends and the Lone Star Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, culinary and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Retail Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Property Creation, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps its clients engage consumers with compelling ideas, content and experiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersport.global, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM
iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 80 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports. With the addition of PPV.COM to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turn-key PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers. For more information, go to indemand.com and PPV.COM
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at www.legendsofbasketball.com.
About the McLendon Foundation
The McLendon Foundation, established in 1999, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded and administered by NACDA. Through the scholarship program and leadership initiative, the McLendon Foundation provides minorities educational resources, practical experiences and serves as a vehicle for networking, career advancement and advocacy on behalf of the profession. More information regarding the McLendon Foundation can be found at www.minorityleaders.org.
-Quadruple header scheduled for Dec. 17 at Chicago’s United Center-
CHICAGO (Sept. 19, 2022) – Tickets for the Legends of Basketball Showcase, a college basketball quadruple header set for Dec. 17 at the United Center in Chicago, will go on sale Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the United Center box office.
In the afternoon session, Northern Iowa will face Towson at Noon CT and Tulane will take on George Mason at 2:30 p.m., while the evening session will feature Dayton matching up against Wyoming at 7 p.m. and NC State battling Vanderbilt at 9:30 p.m. Television designations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fans interested in attending the event can register to receive direct email alerts regarding ticket news and other event at www.LegendsofBasketball.com/Showcase. Fans who register for these ticket alerts by Tuesday will be eligible for access to an exclusive 24-hour presale beginning on Tuesday.
Tickets, which start at $29, will be sold by session, and one ticket will be good for both games of a session.
It will be the first matchup between Northern Iowa and Towson and the third between Tulane and George Mason, with the teams splitting the prior two contests. Dayton and Wyoming have also met twice previously, with Dayton winning in December 2004 and Wyoming winning in January 2004. The contest between NC State and Vanderbilt will be the sixth all time, with the Commodores owning a 3-2 edge in the series. Each of the previous three matchups have been neutral site contests, with NC State winning the last matchup in 2018.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
About Intersport Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, culinary and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Retail Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Property Creation, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps its clients engage consumers with compelling ideas, content and experiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersport.global, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
-College Basketball Quadruple header in Chicago to spotlight the work of the National Basketball Retired Players Association-
CHICAGO (Aug. 23, 2022) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and Intersport today announced details for the inaugural Legends of Basketball Showcase, a college basketball quadruple header set for Dec. 17 at the United Center in Chicago.
As part of the four-game set, Northern Iowa will face Towson and Tulane will take on George Mason in the afternoon session, while Dayton matches up against Wyoming and NC State will battle Vanderbilt in the evening session. Game times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for the 2022 Legends of Basketball Showcase will go on sale to the general public on Sept. 21 and will be sold by session. For those looking to experience all four games, a purchase of the afternoon session and evening session will be required. Fans interested in attending the event can register to receive direct email alerts regarding ticket news and other event at www.LegendsofBasketball.com/Showcase. Those who register for these ticket alerts will be eligible for access to an exclusive one-day presale beginning on Sept. 20.
Founded in 1992, the NBRPA serves former professional basketball players in their transition into life after basketball. The NBRPA is the only alumni association of its kind supported directly by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
“The NBRPA is thrilled to partner with Intersport to present the Legends of Basketball Showcase for the upcoming college basketball season,” said Scott Rochelle, President & CEO NBRPA. “With NBRPA membership, including several executive board directors having deep ties to the participating college basketball programs, this event is a natural fit for us to bring to fruition. We look forward, to what promises to be an extraordinary day and night of top-notch college hoops entertainment.”
“Intersport is excited to partner with the NBRPA and help them extend their already well-established presence in the basketball community,” said Mark Starsiak, vice president of basketball at Intersport, which will manage the event. “As we continue to grow our robust portfolio of successful basketball events around the country, we are eager to create a major annual showcase event alongside another Chicago-based organization right here in our hometown.”
The eight programs competing in the Legends of Basketball Showcase have produced a combined 204 NBA Draft selections, while several coaches participating in the event have connections to the NBRPA, and vice versa.
At the helm of Vanderbilt is 18-year NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse, the former No. 3 overall draft pick and two-time All-Star who appeared in 970 games for eight teams. Wyoming assistant coach Shaun Vandiver is a former first-round pick (25th overall) by the Golden State Warriors in the 1991 NBA Draft. George Mason head coach Kim English was drafted in the 2nd Round (44th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and Northern Iowa assistant coach Seth Tuttle played for the Miami Heat’s Summer League team in 2015.
NBRPA Board Chairman Johnny Davis is a Dayton alum, leading the Flyers in scoring for three consecutive seasons (1973-76) before spending nearly four decades with the NBA as a player, front office executive, assistant and head coach. Additionally, two NBRPA Board Members are NC State alums. Thurl Bailey, who led the Wolfpack in both scoring and rebounding during the team’s miracle 1983 NCAA Championship season before embarking on a 13-season NBA career, and Chucky Brown, who led NC State in scoring in 1988 (16.6 ppg) and rebounding in 1989 season (8.8 rpg).
It will be the first matchup between Northern Iowa and Towson and the third between Tulane and George Mason, with the teams splitting the prior two contests. Dayton and Wyoming have also met twice previously, with Dayton winning in December 2004 and Wyoming winning in January 2004. The contest between NC State and Vanderbilt will be the sixth all time, with the Commodores owning a 3-2 edge in the series. Each of the previous three matchups have been neutral site contests, with NC State winning the last matchup in 2018.
To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, culinary and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Retail Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Property Creation, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps its clients engage consumers with compelling ideas, content and experiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersport.global, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
-Five Undergraduates Attending HBCUs To Receive $10,000 Scholarships-
Chicago, ILL. July 20, 2022 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced the 2022-2023 recipients of the Legends HBCU Scholarship, making them the second class of Legends Scholars.
The five Legends Scholars are:
Julian Bridges | Grambling State University, Class of 2025
Marshaela Cooper | Tennessee State University, Class of 2024
Adeja Shannon | Tennessee State University, Class of 2025
Tyh'lana Tomlin | Howard University, Class of 2025
Ti'Mia Wynn | Tuskegee University, Class of 2024
“These five remarkable young people were selected from hundreds of HBCU students due to their academic excellence and commitment to making a positive impact in the world,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President & CEO. “We are excited to introduce the 2022-2023 Legends Scholars to last year’s inaugural class of Legends Scholars and welcome them into our Legends family – where we will support them during their collegiate career and beyond.”
The five Legends Scholars will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship from the NBRPA for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to addressing the financial needs of Legends Scholars, a comprehensive scholars program will assist Legends Scholars in the areas of career preparation and development, job placement and mentoring both during and after their undergraduate years.
The Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program were created in 2020 under the NBRPA’s Legends Care initiative as a way to honor the rich history of HBCUs and their alums while moving the legacy forward by supporting current HBCU undergraduates.
To learn more about the Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program, visit legendsofbasketball.com/HBCU.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Chucky Brown, Caron Butler, Robert Horry, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Jerome Williams. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
-Events to Include Legends Tech Summit, Amazon Career Event, Outing at Top Golf Las Vegas and NBA Summer League Action-
Chicago, ILL. July 5, 2022 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) announced today the launch of its annual Legends Summer Getaway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will feature over 100 NBA, WNBA, and ABA Legends taking part in networking events from July 7-9. As part of the annual event, Legends will be treated to the Legends Tech Summit – Emerging Technology & Player Opportunities powered by The ARIA Exchange, the Amazon Career Event, an outing at TopGolf Las Vegas, NBA Summer League game action and an NBRPA hosted party at JEWEL Nightclub.
“Bringing retired players back for our events is a natural fit for us and is part of our DNA,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “With the importance of Summer League and all of the possibilities Las Vegas presents, we want to make sure we have a large presence here as well and keep this community of players involved in everything that’s going on in world of basketball and business.”
The Emerging Technology & Player Opportunities Tech Summit will provide a blue-ribbon panel consisting of NBA Legends Metta Sandiford-Artest, representatives from The ARIA Exchange, BLEAV, and the NBA and will be moderated by NBA/WNBA Analyst, ESPN - Ros Gold-Onwude. Discussions will center on the newest developments in the NFT space, podcasting, and the potential these innovative fields present for former players.
The Amazon Career event will feature WNBA Legend Yolanda Moore discussing her experiences as part of Amazon’s Athletes Program and the impact it has had on her post-playing career and the benefits for other athletes.
Legends will also show of their golf swings at an exclusive outing at TopGolf Las Vegas and check out the newest NBA talent when they take in NBA Summer League action at the Thomas & Mack Center.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch.
-Exclusive Partnership to Involve Nearly 1500 Basketball Legends Including Iconic Names – Bill Russell, Jerry West, Karl Malone, Walt Frazier, Chris Mullin and more-
-Revolutionary Media Network’s ARIA Exchange Reimagines the NFT Experience With An Original, Next-Level, Transparent, Secure and Carbon NegativeConsumer NFT trading platform-
Chicago, ILL. June 22, 2022 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) announced today a groundbreaking group licensing deal with ARIA Exchange. The multi-year agreement will allow ARIA Exchange to create royalty generating products, utilizing its innovative Aria 360 technology. ARIA Exchange will create and market virtual marketing ad-campaigns to brands featuring Legends and virtual images of Legends in the form of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) - digital assets that are functional through blockchain technology.
This robust opportunity ushers the NBRPA into the new iteration of internet technology, while leveraging Legends' Name, Image, and Likeness to best align with emerging digital trends.
“As the demand for Legends and their one-of-a-kind collectibles skyrockets, this partnership with ARIA Exchange allows us to bring our Legends into a new and innovative marketplace, where they can serve as connoisseurs and creators of their narrative,” said Scott Rochelle, President & CEO, National Basketball Retired Players Association. “We are thrilled to partner with ARIA Exchange to celebrate our Legends’ accomplishments and iconic moments and provide exclusive and artistic value to fans and collectors around the world.”
The first release featuring NBRPA Legends will be available summer 2022 exclusively on ARIA Exchange and will include such notable names as Bill Russell, Jerry West, Karl Malone, Isiah Thomas, Chris Mullin, John Stockton, Clyde Drexler, Dominique Wilkins, Grant Hill, Hakeem Olajuwon, Earl Monroe, Elgin Baylor and many more.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch.
CHICAGO, ILL. February 28, 2022 – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) announced today the election of Robert Horry, Chucky Brown, and Charles “Choo” Smith to its Board of Directors. Additionally, the following officer positions have been filled: Johnny Davis (Chairman), Dave Cowens (Vice Chairman), Sam Perkins (Treasurer), and Grant Hill (Secretary).
“The return of long-standing board members, along with our newest representatives, provide us the unique opportunity to take full advantage of a robust mix of continuity and innovation in our leadership,” said Scott Rochelle, President and CEO, NBRPA. “Our commitment to best represent all viewpoints from across our association, provide quality leadership, and the utmost professional standard for our membership, continues to be the standard by which we measure ourselves.” Added Rochelle, “I would like to extend the NBRPA’s full gratitude to Dave Naves for his selfless dedication over his two successive three-year terms on our board and welcome ‘Choo’ Smith as the representative for the Harlem Globetrotter seat in our organization.”
NBRPA Directors are responsible for executing the NBRPA mission to serve former professional basketball players, supporting them in life after their playing days, and assisting them in leveraging their inspirational influence to promote and teach basketball in their communities.
Clarence “Chucky” Brown, a 6'7" forward from North Carolina State, Brown was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the 1989 NBA draft. Brown shares the NBA record for the most teams played for during his NBA career — twelve: the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets (where he became a champion in 1994–95), Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
Robert Horry, played 16 seasons in the NBA, winning seven championships, the most of any player not to have played on the 1960s Boston Celtics. He is one of only four players to have won NBA championships with three teams - two with the Houston Rockets, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and two with the San Antonio Spurs with no defeats in NBA Finals. Nicknamed "Big Shot Bob”, because of his clutch shooting in important games, Horry is widely considered to be one of the greatest clutch performers and winners in NBA history.
Charles H. Smith, Jr., affectionately known as “Choo,” was a member of the world-renowned Original Harlem Globetrotters. Choo has played in all 50 States, in 26 countries and was recognized as one of the greatest dribblers in the world. Smith also founded the Choo Smith Youth Empowerment, Inc., a non-profit organization in 2007 that focuses on Choo’s “4L” philosophy: “Love it, Learn it, Live it, Lead it.”
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, Charles “Choo” Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Robert Horry. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch.
-Team of Partners Providing Food Boxes to 500 CMSD Families at Drive-Thru Event-
CLEVELAND, February 15, 2022 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and The Sherwin-Williams Company are teaming up to serve Cleveland families during NBA All-Star Weekend.
On Saturday, February 19, the Legends Care Drive-Thru Food Distribution at CMSD’s East Professional Center will welcome families who have children attending CMSD schools and provide them with boxes filled with shelf-stable food items.
“It is extremely important that the NBRPA and our Legends give back to families in each NBA All-Star Game host city through our Legends Care programs,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President and CEO. “After learning that Cleveland’s child poverty rate is consistently one of the country’s highest, we knew that we wanted to make an impact in the fight against hunger and have assembled a powerful team of partners who are leaders in this space and are advocating for children and families every single day.”
Statistics show that one in five children live in poverty in Cleveland. With 100% of CMSD’s 35,696 enrolled students being economically disadvantaged, serving this student population at a CMSD site became top priority for the NBRPA.
“Hunger is one of the very significant barriers that our students and families face living in a city that ranks at the top nationally for child poverty,” said Eric Gordon, CEO Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “It interferes with the ability of our children to learn and succeed. We are deeply grateful for the assistance that partners like the National Basketball Retired Players Association, and Greater Cleveland Food Bank provide to our families in need.”
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank seeks to bridge the meal gap, ensuring that Cleveland-area residents have the food they need each day. The Food Bank will be providing non-perishable items for the Legends Care Drive-Thru Food Distribution.
Founded in 1866 in Cleveland, The Sherwin-Williams Company, a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products, rounds out this powerful Legends Care team as the official volunteer partner. Sherwin-William employees will be working alongside NBA and WNBA Legends providing an off-the-court assist for CMSD families.
“It is an honor to take part in an event that will have a positive impact on fighting hunger in our local community,” says John G. Morikis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sherwin-Williams. “Our team is proud to celebrate Cleveland’s hosting of the NBA All-Star game by lending our support to the Legends Care Drive-Thru Food Distribution. We want to thank all those who are making this event a reality for our neighbors in need.”
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
About Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD):
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is the second largest public school system in Ohio. As a portfolio district, it has developed a variety of school models and lets parents and students choose the model that provides the right fit. CMSD has made significant progress under The Cleveland Plan, a customized blueprint for education reform that was written into state law in 2012, and in the years since then has achieved some of the fastest academic growth in Ohio. The District has embarked on a new Vision of Learning that is based on mastery of content, learning that occurs anytime and anywhere, whole-human learning and personalized pathways to learning.
About the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having provided more than 53 million meals in FY2021 to more than 343,000 hungry people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties. Our mission is working together to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. We do this through both food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts. The Food Bank continues to provide nutritious food to those in need while working to end hunger tomorrow through connecting clients to resources. For more information go to www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.
About The Sherwin-Williams Company
Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Valspar®, HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy®, Krylon®, Minwax®, Thompson's® Water Seal®, Cabot® and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and facilities, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit https://www.sherwin-williams.com/.
-$10,000 Scholarships Available to Undergraduates Attending HBCUs-
Chicago, ILL. February 1, 2022 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced the opening of the 2022 application for the Legends HBCU Scholarship – a scholarship fund and scholars program for undergraduate students attending HBCUs across the country. Five applicants will be selected as Legends Scholars, receiving a $10,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic excellence and desire to make a positive and purposeful impact in the world.
In addition to addressing the financial needs of Legends Scholars, a comprehensive scholars program will assist Legends Scholars in the areas of career preparation and development, job placement and mentoring both during and after their undergraduate years.
The Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program were created in 2020 under the NBRPA’s Legends Care initiative as a way to honor the rich history of HBCUs and their alums while moving the legacy forward by supporting current HBCU undergraduates. The inaugural class of Legends Scholars was announced in July 2021 and includes:
Damon Germaine Bryan Jr | South Carolina State University, Class of 2022
Erin Foster | Spelman College, Class of 2024
Saniya Keeton | Tuskegee University, Class of 2023
Tyrell Miller-Johnson | Central State University, Class of 2023
Jayla Imani Thornton | North Carolina A&T State University, Class of 2024
The 2022 Legends HBCU Scholarship application opens on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at legendsofbasketball.com/HBCU. Current undergraduates attending HBCUs will have the opportunity to apply until 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
To support the Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program, please contact HBCU@legendsofbasketball.com.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION TAPS HEARTLENT GROUP TO LEAD NEW VISUAL IDENTITY
-Newly Designed Brand Enhancement Elements Include Redesigned Logo, Animated Content and Merchandise Designs-
CHICAGO, ILL. October 21, 2021 – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), in celebration of its 30th anniversary, is teaming up with sports marketing collective HEARTLENT Group to re-fresh the organization’s visual identity. As part of the partnership, the creative team at HEARTLENT Group, led by managing partner and head of creative Elliot Gerard, is creating new enhancements for the organization, including a new primary logo.
HEARTLENT is also collaborating to design digital content promoting the NBRPA’s Legends Media & Entertainment platforms, including a series of custom animations showcasing previously untold stories about basketball luminaries like Charles Barkley and Alonzo Mourning.
Legends Media & Entertainment (LME), is the multifaceted storytelling platform that is home to Legends Magazine, Legends Live digital series, and the Legends Lounge w/ Trill Withers and Hoop du Jour w/ Peter Vecsey podcasts, that bring the wide-reaching stories of many of the NBA and WNBA’s biggest stars to life. Additionally, HEARTLENT will create unique designs for the NBRPA’s Legends Care initiative, which is the charitable arm of the organization offering programs and services that positively impact youth and communities both locally and globally. This includes a limited-edition Legends Care t-shirt that is available now until November 1 to Legends Care Tip-Off Campaign donors at legendsofbasketball.com/TipOff.
“HEARTLENT Group is the perfect partner to evolve and elevate our brand positioning due to the team's extensive experience in the NBA as well as their genuine love for the game and top creative talent,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President & CEO. “With the growth of Legends Media & Entertainment, the timing is ideal to re-fresh our visual identity and we are pleased to be joining forces with HEARTLENT Group on this endeavor.”
The new logo design incorporates both the history of the NBRPA as well as fresh design elements to display both the physical and cultural aspects of the sport. Utilizing graffiti artwork, the basketball inside the logo includes meaningful imagery like handprints to signify the players who have left their mark on the game, retro sneakers to symbolize the history and culture of basketball, x’s and o’s to stand for what players have accomplished on the court, and much more. A nod to the organization’s three decades of service, the logo also features a three-pointed crown.
“This new re-design of our logo is a fantastic representation of the historical and cultural aspects of the sport of basketball,” said Caron Butler, NBA Legend and NBRPA Board Director. “The design incorporates images that have been prevalent throughout the lives of the brotherhood and sisterhood that make up the NBRPA and highlights the growth and impact of our organization and the Legends brand over the last thirty years.”
“Our entire team at HEARTLENT Group is thrilled to be working with the NBRPA to showcase the storied organization in a new way while maintaining the utmost respect for its history and the legends of the sport it represents,” said Gerard. “Celebrating athletes is at the core of what HEARTLENT does and we feel honored to take on this important creative work with the NBPRA.”
Founded in 1992, the NBRPA serves former professional basketball players, supporting them in life after their playing days, and helping them to leverage their inspirational influence to promote and teach basketball in their communities.
HEARTLENT Group specializes in digital and social strategy and creative content. Led by managing partners Elliot Gerard, Jonah Ballow and Keith Stoeckeler, the collective utilizes a global creative team and has worked with professional and collegiate sports teams, professional sports leagues, major brands, and political campaigns including Rock the Vote and Biden Harris, among others.
To access a digital file of the new NBRPA logo and select still images from the first Legends Media & Entertainment animation featuring Charles Barkley, click here. To access the animation in its entirety, please follow @NBAAlumni on Twitter.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
About HEARTLENT Group
HEARTLENT Group is a digital and social strategy + creative content collective specializing in exceptional storytelling that stands out in today’s digital world. The collective is built from years of sports marketing and creative experience on the professional league, team, and agency sides. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Connecticut, HEARTLENT Group is focused on the core areas of digital content, animation and illustration, marketing strategy, social campaigns, and video production including broadcast commercials, industrial videos, web and social videos, and motion graphics. Uniquely, HEARTLENT Group collaborates directly with athletes to create innovative content and intellectual property to fuel their brand while maximizing impactful opportunities for revenue-generating sponsorships. For more information, go to www.heartlent.com.
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Media Contacts: Katrina Younce, HEARTLENT Group, katrina@heartlent.com, 310-995-3619
-Former NBA and WNBA Players Begin Their At-Home Rowing Journeys-
Chicago, ILL. August 5, 2021 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced a collaboration with Hydrow, Inc. that offers NBRPA Members exclusive access to the luxury, at-home rowing machine and private one-on-one virtual coaching sessions with Hydrow Coaches.
Hydrow is a state-of-the-art interactive rowing machine that allows users to row on waterways around the world from the comfort of their own homes through Live Outdoor Reality. Hydrow provides a low impact, full-body workout, engaging 86% of the body’s muscles.
“We are very excited to bring Hydrow to NBRPA Members,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President & CEO. “The ability to offer our Legends a one-of-a-kind at-home workout option that exercises the whole body, is great for the heart and easy on the knees was a no-brainer.”
“Working with Legends of Basketball is an incredibly special opportunity for us, as it allows us to support these elite athletes throughout the next chapter in their careers,” said Bruce Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrow, Inc. "Hydrow offers a dynamic, low-impact cardiovascular workout, and the fact that you’re able to work out with others mimics the teamwork these athletes have known their entire lives. We’re proud to be able to work with these players who have given us so much joy throughout their illustrious careers.”
Earlier this year, WNBA Legend Ruth Riley and NBA Legend José Calderón debuted as Hydrow Influencers. Fans can follow along as Riley and Calderón document their Hydrow experiences on their Instagram pages.
Riley recently completed a Hydrow workout with the U.S. Rowing Team. She said, “Nothing like a row with the U.S. Rowing Team to get you into the spirit for Tokyo 2021! I love how Hydrow makes you feel like you are in the boat training with them.”
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
-Five Undergraduates Attending HBCUs To Receive $10,000 Scholarships-
Chicago, ILL. July 19, 2021 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced the 2021-2022 recipients of the Legends HBCU Scholarship, making them the inaugural class of Legends Scholars.
The five Legends Scholars are:
Damon Germaine Bryan Jr, South Carolina State University, Class of 2022
Saniya Keeton, Tuskegee University, Class of 2023
Tyrell Miller-Johnson, Central State University, Class of 2023
Erin Foster, Spelman College, Class of 2024
Jayla Imani Thornton, North Carolina A&T State University, Class of 2024
“These five outstanding young people were selected from nearly 1,000 HBCU students in recognition of their academic excellence and commitment to making a positive impact in the world,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA President & CEO. “We are extremely encouraged by how high our “Starting Five” have set the bar for future Legends Scholars classes and are excited to welcome these Legends Scholars into our Legends family, providing them support and resources during their collegiate career and beyond.”
The five Legends Scholars will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship from the NBRPA for the 2021-2022 school year. In addition to addressing the financial needs of Legends Scholars, a comprehensive scholars program will assist Legends Scholars in the areas of career preparation and development, job placement and mentoring both during and after their undergraduate years.
The Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program were created in 2020 under the NBRPA’s Legends Care initiative as a way to honor the rich history of HBCUs and their alums while moving the legacy forward by supporting current HBCU undergraduates.
To learn more about the Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program, visit legendsofbasketball.com/HBCU.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
- Legends Lounge with Trill Withers to Debut During the NBA Finals Bringing Fans Stories Directly from Some of the Game’s Biggest and Most Outspoken Legends -
- Debut Episodes to Feature NBA Legends Vernon Maxwell, Rex Chapman and Detlef Schrempf -
Chicago, ILL. July 8, 2021 - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) announced today that the Legends Lounge with Trill Withers podcast will join Legends Media & Entertainment’s Legends Studios original content portfolio beginning on July 8. Legends Lounge with Trill Withers will join fan favorites such as the Legends Live digital series and the Hoop du Jour with Peter Vecsey podcast and blog, bringing fans original and unfiltered stories directly from some of the NBA and WNBA’s most outspoken and recognizable Legends.
Tipping off on July 8, the first three episodes will feature such notable NBA Legends as two-time NBA champion Vernon Maxwell, twelve-year NBA vet, social media influencer and host of the “Rex Chapman Show” podcast – Rex Chapman, and three-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year – Detlef Schrempf.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide a forum for our Legends and to see the continued success and growth of Legends Media & Entertainment and Legends Studios as a result of that access,” said Scott Rochelle, President and CEO, NBRPA. “These stories and recollections, coupled with Trill’s enigmatic personality and reach are key reasons for our success and our Legends’ unfiltered and genuine stories will undoubtedly provide fans with some amazing entertainment.”
Launched in August 2020, Legends Media & Entertainment (LME) is the NBRPA’s multifaceted story-telling platform producing, distributing and quantifying the wide-reaching stories of many of the NBA and WNBA’s biggest stars, spanning various eras in basketball history.
Fans can follow the Legends Lounge with Trill Withers podcast, as well as all LME content, on social media at @NBAalumni and @NBALgndsLounge on Twitter, @NBAAlumni on Instagram, on Facebook at NBA Alumni or at legendsofbasketball.com. The Legends Lounge with Trill Withers podcast is available on Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever fans get their podcasts by searching “Legends Lounge.”
Trill Withers (Tyler Johnson) is a graduate of the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) and lives in the Atlanta area. When he’s not tweeting, he enjoys live sporting events, traveling and thinking about when he can tweet next.
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association: The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide array of programs to benefit its members, supporters and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Johnny Davis, Vice Chairman Dave Cowens, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Grant Hill, Thurl Bailey, Caron Butler, Jerome Williams, Shawn Marion, David Naves and Sheryl Swoopes. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com.
