Carmelo Anthony, TyRone Brown and Dawn Staley Named Winners of 2019 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award

Basketball Hall of FameHall of Fame Recognizes Leaders in Basketball for Humanitarian Efforts

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 11, 2019) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced this evening from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas the winners of the 2019 Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. They are nine-time NBA All-Star, Baltimore native and community activist Carmelo Anthony; Harlem Globetrotter, motivational speaker and literacy advocate TyRone Brown; and three-time Olympic gold medalist and community leader Dawn Staley. The winners will be recognized on Thursday, September 5that the Reunion Dinner at the Hall of Fame during Enshrinement Weekend.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to recognize Carmelo Anthony, TyRone Brown and Dawn Staley for the positive impact they have had on a national and global scale,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Mannie Jackson Award is an esteemed honor awarded to those with the highest level of dedication to using their platforms and resources to make an impact in the lives of others, and these honorees have exemplified their dedication to a variety of worthy causes.”

Established in 2007, the Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award honors individuals who have found the game of basketball to be a contributing aspect of their personal growth and accomplishment, a place to develop an understanding of others and an avenue that has helped shape his or her growth into a recognized visionary leader. Winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for his or her actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

“A Hall of Fame should recognize great athletes, but also the great people who are in athletics and are doing extraordinary things for their communities,” said Mannie Jackson, the Award’s namesake. “I am proud to say the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Leadership continues doing an extraordinary job of identifying the ‘greats’ in the basketball community who do positive things for Humankind.”

Anthony, Brown and Staley were chosen from a large candidate pool that represents every level of basketball and is reviewed annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson.

Jackson has served as a positive example and role model to his peers, in addition to his tremendous business success. A former star for the Harlem Globetrotters, Jackson served as a senior executive for Honeywell Inc. during the 1980’s and early 1990’s and saved the Globetrotters from near extinction in 1993 when he purchased the team. In doing so, Mannie Jackson became the first African-American owner of a major international sports and entertainment organization. In a short period of time, Jackson revived the organization and led the Globetrotters to record attendance and revenue growth while expanding the influence of the Globetrotters to more than 118 countries. Under Jackson’s watch, the Globetrotters charitable contributions totaled over $15 million and in 2002 the Harlem Globetrotters were elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 2012, Jackson penned his bestselling autobiography, “Boxcar To Boardrooms” and continues to donate generously to numerous causes including the University of Illinois, South African youth funds, Cancer Research and the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also active in promoting the mission of the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities located in his hometown Edwardsville, Illinois while serving as the Center’s lead investor. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

The Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award Winners 2019

Carmelo Anthony – Carmelo Anthony has demonstrated the importance of taking action to implement change. A nine-time NBA All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medalist, Anthony has committed his time and resources to positively impact his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. In 2006, he helped fund the revitalization of a local community center for local youth and opened The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center. Additionally, Anthony has contributed $1.5 million to the Living Classrooms Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides innovative hands-on-education, job-training and community service programs for over 35,000 children, youth, and young adults in the East Baltimore community. On a national scale, Anthony has taken an active role in the wake of violence between police and African-Americans by organizing and delivering a powerful speech on the ESPYS stage denouncing all forms of violence. He continued this activism by marching with protestors of police brutality and organizing a townhall forum in Los Angeles that brought together black and Latino teenagers with local police officers. His continued efforts towards unity have inspired friends and teammates to also get involved. Recently, Anthony pledged 3 million dollars to his alma mater, Syracuse University, for the development of a new basketball practice facility.

TyRone Brown – TyRone “Hollywood” Brown’s unique ability to turn life lessons into life’s blessings has given him a unique perspective on helping others. Brown is recognized as a talented member of the Harlem Globetrotters, but his social impact far exceeds what he has accomplished on the court. Brown is currently a literacy and character educational speaker for school districts, corporations and nonprofits across the United States and Canada. As a children’s author himself, the National Education Association commissioned him as their reading and literacy spokesperson for three consecutive years. In 2017, he started the Ambassadors of Responsibility Foundation to enable former teammates to better serve elementary and middle school students across the country. The foundation is a conduit to fight, and ultimately eradicate, illiteracy via books and school-wide enrichment programs. To that end, Brown visits 100 schools per year and delivers books to students at failing or underperforming schools. Brown credits his success to perseverance, as told in his children’s book called “A Piece of Paper.”

Dawn Staley – Dawn Staley has cemented her legacy in basketball as a three-time Olympic Gold medalist, six-time WNBA All-Star and one of the league’s Top 15 Players of All-Time. Off the court, she has found purpose in helping those in need. In 1996, she founded the Dawn Staley Foundation to provide a multi-faceted academic, athletic, and community program to empower middle school girls. In addition to her personal foundation, she also co-founded INNERSOLE to provide new sneakers to homeless and children in low-income households. Staley’s commitment to the community has earned her many accolades including the Red Cross Spectrum Award, Henry P. Iba Citizenship Award and South Carolina’s highest civilian honor for achievement and service to the state. Since 2007, the WNBA has presented a community leadership award bearing her name. Staley is currently the head coach for University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball, where she led her team to a national championship in 2017. Staley’s constant focus on the betterment of herself, her team and her community continues to inspire others.

The Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award Winners 2007-2018

2018: J.J. Barea, Tina Charles and Boris Diaw

2017: Bob Hurley, Nancy Lieberman, Dwyane Wade

2016: Chris Paul, Jalen Rose, Tubby Smith

2015: Paul Fireman, Bill Self, Steve Smith

2014: Bob Delaney, Robert L. Johnson

2013: Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Pat Summitt,

Boo Williams

2012: Jim Calhoun, Grant Hill, Dr. Richard Lapchick

2011: Chauncey Billups, Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline, The V Foundation

2010: Jim Boeheim, Samuel Dalembert, Alfreda Harris

2009: Ken Hudson, Bob Lanier, Alonzo Mourning

2008: Sonny Hill, David Robinson

2007: Dikembe Mutombo

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall #MannieJacksonAward or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

by Caleb Friedman

Juwan Howard stands at the podium, taking a deep breath as those in the room applaud and cheer. About to speak, he stops. He bows his head and covers his eyes before they begin to swell with tears – tears that embody the emotion Howard feels in this punctuating moment for what has been a crazy few days.

He turns around with his back facing the wall, taking a few final deep breaths to compose himself.

“Tears of joy,” he says.

You will understand the tears if you understand the place. Juwan Howard is back in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan, where he once captivated the country as a player. This time around, Howard is donning a block “M” pin on his lapel – he’s just been introduced as the head men’s basketball coach.

You can tell Howard is reflecting back to the journey that led him to this defining moment in his career. He mentions the last time he had a press conference at Michigan, where he was declaring for the 1994 NBA Draft. Howard touched on his late grandmother and best friend and what they meant to him, before speaking to the tradition and pride he has to coach his new players – his new family.

Howard calls this his “dream job,” and tells the origin story of his path to Ann Arbor more than two decades ago. Howard is raw and genuine, his words impassioned. It’s clear just how much this all means to him. 

Juwan Howard is home.

Juwan Howard sits at a table during Big Ten Media Day in Chicago, and he sticks out like a sore thumb.

Howard is the only head coach without previous college coaching experience. The other 13 coaches in the Big Ten Conference average 24.5 years of college coaching experience, and 12 of them have 15 or more years of college coaching under their belts.

Then there is Howard who took the Michigan head coaching job after he spent his entire coaching career in the NBA from 2013-2019. After six seasons on the Miami Heat bench under head coach Erik Spoelstra, Howard jumped at the opportunity to return to his alma mater, despite frequently being a candidate for NBA head coaching vacancies. 

“I’ve always been asked the question, ‘Will I ever want to coach college basketball?’” Howard tells Legends Magazine. “My answer was always ‘One job, if it became available. The University of Michigan.’”

At its core, the main part of Howard’s new job is comfortable to him. He has been around the sport professionally for the past 25 years and around youth basketball and AAU circuits through his sons. From a coaching and teaching standpoint, Howard is confident his NBA experience will translate to the college level.

It is all the other stuff that is new and will take some getting used to, chiefly recruiting. Howard is getting used to being on the phone a lot more to talk to recruits, and that relationship-building isn’t something foreign to him. After all, he was once at the other end of those calls as the recruited player.

“The NCAA rules and regulations will take some time to learn and understand,” Howard says. In the NBA, for example, there is no limit on how often a coach can work with players. At the college level, Howard can only work with players for a set number of hours per day and week.

In addition to his basketball duties of coaching and recruiting, Howard serves as a face and ambassador for the school, which means meetings with alumni and donors are also a major part of his job.

“Being a head coach in college, I’m not only coaching the players, but I’m helping run an institution,” Howard says. “I have to choose my staff, hire those guys, make sure I balance a budget. I’m like an Erik Spoelstra, a Pat Riley and Andy Elisburg all in one.”

Still, Howard makes the leap at a time when former NBA players are coming to college seemingly in droves, with names like Penny Hardaway and Patrick Ewing also returning to coach their alma maters. Success has been difficult to come by for many of the former NBA players coaching in college, but there has been a clear advantage in recruiting, particularly for Hardaway.

“There’s been a changing of the guard with coaches that have been around a long time,” former NBA player and current Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse tells Legends Magazine. “There’s a new wave of coaching. I think athletic directors are thinking outside the box, just trying to find guys that can relate to this generation of players…a lot of those guys are one-and-dones now coming into the NBA.”

Speaking to that trend, Howard’s college teammate and current ESPN personality Jalen Rose voiced his support on ESPN for Howard getting the Michigan job early in the process, in part because of his ability as a recruiter.

“He would be a terrific head coach,” Rose said. “He would be terrific at developing young talent. He would own the Michigan market.”

New Michigan Men’s Basketball head coach Juwan Howard is introduced at a press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI on May 30, 2019.

If Juwan Howard’s opening press conference at Michigan signified a symbolic beginning, his first day of summer workouts was the real start.

It was then, when Howard walked into a gym with players to coach and a team to prepare, that Howard finally felt he arrived.

“It was that day, the first day of workouts, when it hit and sunk in. I’m the head coach at the University of Michigan,” Howard says. “That was my epic moment, an epic time of sinking in that ‘this is real now.’”

This upcoming season will bring a number of firsts and milestones for Howard, who’s ready to embark on his first season as a head coach. Now, as the season gets going, and the initial emotions fade, everything turns to actual basketball.

As Howard prepares to lead a team for the first time as head coach, he thinks back to the years he’s spent in and around the game, giving him a lifetime of experience to fall back on. He knows he can do this.

“I played this game before for many years, I’ve had a lot of success doing it at all levels, high school, college and pro,” Howard says. “I’ve learned a lot, and I know the game and I know I can coach the game.”

by Sean Deveney

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – It was a night for the overlooked, the underrated and the trailblazers whose contributions to the game have been too obscured by history.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame held its induction night this weekend and welcomed a field of new members that included center Vlade Divac, a pioneer of international basketball who was drafted from Yugoslavia by the Lakers in 1989 and went on to become the first player born and trained outside the U.S. to appear in 1,000 NBA games.

The group also included one of the WNBA’s first stars, Teresa Weatherspoon, as well as defensive stalwarts Sidney Moncrief and Bobby Jones, unique face-up center Jack Sikma, championship coach Bill Fitch and five-time NBA All-Star Paul Westphal.

Divac opened the night with a speech that set the tone for the entire collection of inductees, speaking about his love for the game and emphasis the game puts on selflessness.

“I believe love gives you the power to share your best self and to inspire others,” Divac said. “Love liberates you the power to make the impossible possible. Just like in life, when you play basketball you have to give in order to receive. On the court you are not just making moves alone, you are also giving your physical and mental strength, your passion, your talent, your trust in your teammates. This way, the power can multiply and the whole team wins. Basketball is the opposite of selfishness.”

That resonated throughout Symphony Hall. Also inducted on Friday were Al Attles, who has been the face of the Warriors franchise for six decades—as a player, a coach and a franchise ambassador. Attles, chosen as a contributor, witnessed Golden State’s most recent dynasty, but was also on the floor as a point guard back when the team was based in Philadelphia in 1962, when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game.

But, asked about the game earlier in the week, Attles was quick to point out that even Chamberlain’s dominating individual achievement had a team feel to it. “Well, I always remind people that we won the game, that’s the first thing,” Attles said. “The other thing is that Wilt tried to come out of the game. He did not want to score 100.”

Also inducted were Chuck Cooper, the first black player to be drafted by an NBA team; Carl Braun, a five-time NBA All-Star who played 13 seasons from 1947-62 and coached the Knicks briefly; the all-black Tennessee A&I teams (now Tennessee State) of 1957-59, which traveled to national tournaments, challenged segregation and were the first team to win three straight championships at any collegiate level; and the women’s teams of Wayland Baptist University (1948-82), who won 10 AAU championships and once won 131 consecutive games.

The honor was probably overdue for both Moncrief, who made five All-Star teams and won the first two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Sikma, who made seven All-Star teams and averaged 15.6 points with 9.8 rebounds. Sikma was also instrumental in bringing the 1979 NBA title to Seattle in his second NBA season.

But Sikma was best known for developing a step-back, face-up shot that became known as the “Sikma move.” It has regained popularity in the modern NBA, with fewer back-to-the-basket centers, but Sikma said it started mostly out of necessity—he grew 10 inches in his final two years of high school and arrived at tiny Illinois Wesleyan, as he described it, as a, “6-11, 195-pound specimen.”

Sikma recalled that, in his first Summer League game after being drafted by Lenny Wilkens and the Sonics in 1977, he had the misfortune of going against Moses Malone, who as already established as a star center. Because players can’t foul out in Summer League, Sikma said Malone wound up with 30-something points while Sikma had 10 fouls.

“The owner was there,” Sikma said, “and asked Lenny, ‘Is that our first-round draft pick?’”

The night was highlighted by the speech from Weatherspoon, whose passion for the game remains palpable even 15 years after her retirement. Weatherspoon won a gold medal with Team USA in 1988 and played overseas for 10 years before the advent of the WNBA. She created one of the great moments in league history when, playing for the New York Liberty in the 1999 Finals, she launched a buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt that went in for a Game 2 win.

Speaking to her two brothers and three sisters seated nearby, Weatherspoon said, “I never had to look outside my family for my heroes. … I was well-protected, well-watched over and I hope that you know that everything about you, I watched. I took it from you, I took your perseverance, I took your consistency, I took your dedication, I took your determination, I took it and I ran with it. And I hope that I made you tremendously proud.

“We’ve gone through a lot together, we’ve done a lot together, we fought together. Tonight, we go in together.”

She went in, indeed, with a well-rounded group that finally got their due. It was a celebration of the hard-working stars, the players and coaches who often gave up the notoriety and big headlines to sacrifice for winning.

As Moncrief put it, “I take great pride being inducted into this Hall. But as I was trying to think of, what do you talk about? It’s not really about me. It’s not about a speech. It’s about the game of basketball. The game of basketball that has changed everyone’s life in this room.”

Have you heard of Chasity Melvin? If not, wake up!

Melvin is the epitome of what it means to dream big. Her saying, “you can’t dream big enough” has carried her through a career spanning more than 20 years, 12 as a professional in the WNBA. Originally from Roseboro, North Carolina, Melvin attended North Carolina State University, where she led the program to its first Final Four appearance during her senior season in 1998. Following graduation, she was selected 11th overall in the 1999 WNBA draft and spent time with the Cleveland Rockers, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky.

Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

“I was reminded of that growing up in a small town,” Melvin said of her ‘dream big’ saying. “I know what it’s like to set a goal, achieve it and realize my dream.”

Melvin retired from professional basketball in 2010 and was faced with a crossroad. Her desire to return to the game in a coaching role was initially faced with some resistance. Her lack of true coaching experience and available positions in the WNBA made it hard for Melvin to make a seamless transition to the coaching ranks upon graduation.

Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

“When I initially retired, people didn’t want to hire me because I didn’t have enough coaching experience,” Melvin said. “For me, I played for eight different coaches in my 12-year WNBA career. I played for a lot of different systems and NBA coaches. I felt like I had enough experience that should’ve given me that first opportunity.”

Enter the NBA Assistant Coaches Program (ACP). Through the NBA ACP, former NBA and WNBA players interested in coaching at the collegiate and professional levels can gain real experience and mentorship from the game’s best coaches.

“It was a great avenue for me to get in front of people who could get me to where I needed to be,” Melvin said. “I needed that experience to get an opportunity and the NBA ACP gave that to me.”

Through her participation in the NBA ACP, Melvin realized that there might be more opportunities outside of coaching women. “It gave me the idea that maybe I could coach on the men’s side,” Melvin said. “With the limited opportunities on the women’s side, this just made sense.”

Within two months of completing the program, Melvin landed her first full-time coaching role with the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G League. As an assistant coach, Melvin was able to use her personal experiences during her professional career to relate to the players. “I’ve been part of the professional game. I was in their spot at one time,” she said.

Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

“It meant everything to get this opportunity,” Melvin said. “For me, it was both challenging and rewarding at the same time. To be part of helping these guys realize their dreams was special. I know what it’s like to set a goal, to play pro and achieve that dream.”

Melvin found immediate success by leveraging her unique journey and playing experiences. Her insightful perspective and first-hand view of the game allowed her to gain the most out of her first season with the Swarm.

“At the end of the day, I learned that basketball is just basketball. Same plays, special situations, scouting. It’s all the same,” Melvin said. “I know the level of confidence you need to have to succeed at this level. I’ve done it. I’ve experienced it. And it gave me great pride that I could share those experiences and help these guys further their careers.”

The opportunity also gave Melvin a new perspective on the G League and the opportunities it can create for players. While she continues to dream big herself, she is now able to share that message with others.

“It’s not just about moving up to the NBA,” Melvin said. “It’s also just as much about securing a great opportunity overseas to support themselves and their families. There are so many opportunities these guys can get from playing in the G League and so many awesome memories to be made. Outside of the basketball court, I could relate to these guys more on a personal level. That is where I’ve succeeded the most.”

CHICAGO, IL – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) continues to deliver on its mission of providing educational opportunities to former basketball players and their families. Through the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund, the NBRPA awarded 87 undergraduate and graduate scholarships to its membership. The scholarship, initiated in honor of the late Dave DeBusschere, provides financial support to eligible NBRPA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren in pursuit of degrees in higher education.

“There is nothing more motivating than giving our children and families opportunities to do great things,” said Board Chairman Spencer Haywood. “We hope this scholarship is just the beginning of a bright future ahead for them.”

Ten select DeBusschere scholarship recipients also received the Earl Lloyd Scholarship which is awarded to applicants in-need of additional support. The NBA Players Legacy Fund, which provides this additional assistance to members in-need, awarded 10 recipients a scholarship in excess of $50,000. Collectively, the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund and Earl Lloyd Scholarship distributed $260,000 amongst eligible students in 2019.

Over the past two years, the NBRPA has distributed 130-plus scholarships and more than $500,000 in total payouts. To date, the NBRPA has awarded members and their families more than $1.6 million in scholarships through the cornerstone initiative.

In addition to the college scholarships, the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund supports the NBRPA Chapter Program’s annual Reading Initiative, wherein educational programs in the twelve chapter cities receive funding.

See below for a full list of the 2019 Dave DeBusschere Scholarship recipients:

Tyrell AponteLandys HughesAlexa Lister Cristina Santiago-Espinet
Ava BirdinJ'Den HumphriesAlton ListerSyarra Sellers
Mylaisia BirdsongCaleb HutchinsonHailey MackShayla Sellers
Earl A. Boykins Jr.Mariah Hutchinson Michael McClanahanColton Shreve
Mehsai BradleyBenjamin InnigerTimothy McCormickKendall Smith
Jaila BrooksMichael InnigerAlicia McDanielJaden Smith
Isabelle BrownTrey JohnsonGrace Meschery-McCormackKarch Smith
Samantha BuddTemeka JohnsonAmara Money-WilliamsSevena Smith
Antoine CarrShoneia JonesTianna NesbyLuke Smrek
Alona ClarkAlanna JonesElijah O'BryantEric Snow
Stephanie ColterKelli JonesEmery O'BryantJazmine Thomas
Sari CuretonLogan JonesSkyla OwensTrevor Toolson
Jaelyn DeJesusReilly JonesLiana PachotChloe Tower
Jason EakinsSamuel JonesJean PackCarly Tower
Kolbi-Rae EdneyKaley JonesWill ParrishKeith Tower
Lindsey FinkelWalter Jones IIIAvery PowellReagan Tripucka
Hayden GambeeCaitlin KeefeMelanie RangeTristan Von Nieda
Reilly GambeeAlyssa KeelingCamille RangeEvan Wilkins
Tai GilbertAnthony KeelingErin RecasnerJazzmyne Williams
Aryana HarveyMason KiteSamuel RobertsAvery Wooten
Jayda HowardThomsen KiteMayneatha RoyalJordan Wooten
Stephen HowardTalmage KiteKyndall Russell- Adams

Dwyane Wade and Scott Rochelle Named to Board of Trustees

Springfield, Mass. (Aug. 22, 2019) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced two new members named to the Board of Trustees – 3-time NBA Champion and 13-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade and Scott Rochelle, President and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

“We are very pleased to be adding Scott Rochelle and Dwyane Wade to our Board of Trustees,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “These men will bring unique perspectives and experiences to our board and will continue to make significant contributions to the basketball community. We know they will be an asset in the Hall of Fame’s mission to promote and preserve the game.” 

The Board of Trustees serves as ambassadors of the Hall, while also being responsible for preserving the fundamental mission and financial well-being of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The board is made up of individuals that work in or have worked in the game, as well as business leaders that have supported the game in Springfield, Mass. or on the national or global level.

A full list of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame can be found below.

About Dwyane Wade:

Dwyane Wade is a three-time NBA Champion, thirteen-time NBA All-Star and an Olympic Gold medalist.  He is the Miami HEAT’s all-time leader in points, games played, assists, and steals, and the NBA’s all-time leader for blocks by a guard. Off the court, he is a New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, style icon, and philanthropist. Wade’s partnerships include Li-Ning, PKWY, MISSION, BallerTV, Gatorade, Wade Cellars, THE COLLECTION, Spades Royale, and 800° Woodfired Kitchen. Founder of 59th & Prairie Entertainment, he serves as an executive producer of the Sports Emmy-nominated documentary, Shot in the Dark, and he has partnered with Imagine Documentaries on an upcoming documentary chronicling his NBA career and life off the court during his final year in the league, which will air on ESPN in 2020. His upcoming memoir, 3 Dimensional, debuting in the fall shares his inspiring journey and will feature never-before-seen images. Wade and his foundation have received numerous awards over the past 15+ years including the NBA Cares season-long Kia Community Assist Award in 2013, the BET Humanitarian Award and the 2017 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. In 2015, he was inducted into the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Hall of Champions. Wade was recently honored with the Legend Award at the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards.

About Scott Rochelle:

Scott Rochelle was named President and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association in March 2018. He previously held the position of SVP of Partnership Development / General Counsel, and VP of Membership, Programming and Chapter Development. Rochelle oversees the Retired Players Association’s day-to-day operations, including securing new cutting-edge partnerships for former players to thrive and prosper. In addition, he continues to strengthen and foster the association’s local chapters which has expanded to 12 cities during his tenure as President and CEO. Working closely with the NBA executive team to guide revenue-generating and philanthropic programs that involve the greatest names in the NBA, he is re-writing the business strategy of the Retired Players Association and has the support of the NBA and NBPA. Rochelle is considered a rising star in the basketball landscape.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees:

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, President, NBA G League

Lon Babby, Player Agent & NBA Executive

Kim Bohuny, SVP of International Basketball Operations, NBA

Jim Calhoun, Men’s Basketball Coach University of St. Joseph (Class of 2005)

Jim Carolus, President, Hillyard Industries

Mary-Beth Cooper, President, Springfield College

George Dickerman, Chairman (retired), Spalding Sports Worldwide

Danielle Donehew, Executive Director, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association

David Fogel, Executive Director, National Basketball Coaches Association

William Gagnon, VP Marketing & Key Accounts, Excel Dryer, Inc.

Jim Gray, President, Scratchy Productions

Paul Hirschheimer, SVP Content Productions, NBA

Brendon Hutchins, SVP Wealth Management, UBS

Michelle Johnson, SVP of Referee Operations, NBA

Kevin Kennedy, Chief Development Officer, City of Springfield, MA

Joel Litvin, President League & Basketball Operations (retired), NBA

Reggie Minton, Deputy Executive Director Basketball Coaches, NABC

Sarah Maggi Morin, Principal, Opportunity Development Group

James P. Naismith, Grandson of Dr. James Naismith, Inventor of Basketball

David A. Pace, President, Pace Sports

John Ritter, Partner, Balance Point Capital

Scott Rochelle, President & CEO, National Basketball Retired Players Association

Charlie Rosenzweig, SVP Entertainment/Player Marketing, NBA

Scott Sadowsky, President, Williams Distributing

Howard Smith, President, Harlem Globetrotters

Steve Smith, NBA Player (retired), Turner Sports/NBATV

Jim Tooley, Executive Director, USA Basketball

Trevor Ugolyn, Senior Managing Director & SVP, The State Street Corporation

Kiki VanDeweghe, Senior EVP Basketball Operations, NBA

Dwyane Wade, NBA Player (retired), CEO Wade, Inc.

Glenn Wong, Distinguished Professor of Sports Management & Law, Arizona State University

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

 

Jayson Williams first found fame as a cheerful basketball player from St. John’s University and then eventually in the NBA. He was selected in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns, and soon after, signed with the New Jersey Nets in 1993. Williams played in an All-Star Game alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 1998, his eighth season, when he led the NBA in offensive rebounding. For years, Williams’ passion was focused on the basketball court.

In 2000, his career came to a sudden end when he broke his leg during a midseason game. The career-ending injury resulted in personal struggles for Williams, but after enduring and overcoming addiction, Williams was inspired to help others. He plans to spend the rest of his life maintaining sobriety and giving back.

One of the ways he does this is through an “adventure therapy” venture, Rebound Institute. The Institute helps others heal through reaching new heights in adventures such as scuba diving, horseback riding, sky diving, paddle boarding, fishing and other activities.

“The number of victims touched by addiction tragically continues to grow daily,” Williams explains. “We’re losing lives at an unprecedented rate, and I want to help people win back their lives by sharing my experience and challenges.”

Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Williams’ goal is to show people how much fun it is to be sober. He calls the people who go through his program “teammates,” and he’s right there alongside them each step of the way. He gets as much out of the program as he gives to his teammates.

“We jump out of airplanes. We wave run. We snowboard. We overcome anxiety, build self-esteem and give each other new activities to be ‘addicted’ to,” he says. “Our mission is to positively change the lives of the individuals, their families and communities that have all been impacted by addiction. Rebound Institute was named to reflect on my skills as a player in the NBA as well as to describe the difficulties I had bouncing back in life.”

In addition to outdoor adventure therapy, used to increase self-esteem and reintroduce an active, fun and healthy lifestyle, Rebound Institute incorporates hyperbaric and chiropractic treatment, overall health and mindset attention, mentoring, job training and workplace readiness.

Before it even officially opened, Rebound Institute and Williams worked to establish relationships with local and national organizations, which helped get the venture’s feet off the ground quickly. Rebound Institute partnered with the National Basketball Retired Players Association, for example, to offer former professional basketball players, their families and their dependents a safe foundation to restore balance in their lives.

Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Chuck Solomon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Williams also hopes to change the stigma surrounding addiction among athletes. “Growing up as an athlete, you’re taught to never show weakness,” he says. “People need to know it’s OK to have this disease, but it’s not OK to not work on it.”

One day, Williams harbors a dream of returning to the world of basketball, but for now, he finds satisfaction in working on himself and helping others, far from the spotlight.

For more information on Rebound Institute, visit reboundabettersolution.com or contact the NBRPA at memberalert@legendsofbasketball.com. 

As part of the National Basketball Retired Players Association’s (NBRPA) global mission to give back, a group of Legends and NBRPA staff recently completed an international mission trip to Panama along with members from the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA).

As part of the trip, players from both leagues - including NBA star Sam Perkins, WNBA star Barbara Farris and MLB’s Roberto Alomar and Carlos Baerga - participated in a series of clinics and events at MVP’s flagship facility in Panama City, Panama. More than 1000 kids made their way through the facility as part of the three-day program, which helps kids develop life skills on and off the court.

“To have the opportunity to go overseas and represent former players around the world is an incredible honor,” said Scott Rochelle, NBRPA president and CEO. “The growth of the NBA on a global scale and its rising international appeal have contributed to more opportunities for former players to visit overseas destinations.”

MVP Sports City is the largest private sports complex in Panama and Central America with the focus on developing life skills in education, sports and family. The organization’s mission is to promote the core values and excellence through sports and education by utilizing the latest training and performance techniques.

“The work of MVP Sports City and the impact the organization is having in the community was incredible to see first-hand,” said Erin Miller, senior vice president of operations and events. “We want to give our players more of these opportunities because we see the value they bring and the impact they can have.”

In addition, select players and members from both organizations had the distinct privilege of having dinner at the US Embassy with key dignitaries from the United States and Panama. Discussions centered around how grow the game of basketball in Panama and how to use sports as a vehicle for change.

“I love opportunities like this to venture out into the world and use basketball as a vehicle to impact young boys and girls,” said Sam Perkins.

Over the past 24 months, the NBRPA has funded trips for players to visit international destinations, including South Africa, Haiti and Panama. As part of the association’s global mission in 2019, the group has plans to visit additional countries by year’s end.

“I would like to thank Bruce Chen and everyone at MVP Sports City for allowing me to come to Panama and take part in these amazing clinics,” said Barbara Farris. “Learning about the culture and people of Panama has been very special and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.”

 

Chicago, IL (Nov. 28, 2018) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) has partnered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center to give former players the opportunity to identify and pursue commercialization of patented NASA technologies.

The program will center on entrepreneurship and give former NBA, WNBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters players the chance to work collaboratively with NASA engineers to expose NBRPA members to NASA patented technologies and address questions related to potential commercial applications.

“This partnership is the first of its kind and is an incredible opportunity for former players,” said Eric McGill, NASA Senior Technology Manager, who will lend his 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, research and development to expose new technologies to NBRPA members. “Giving players the chance to immerse themselves in our state-of-the-art technology and learn from the world’s best engineers is truly unheard of.”

“This innovative collaboration is a win-win for NASA and the NBRPA that will provide opportunities for NBRPA entrepreneurs to develop strategies for commercialization through creation of technology startup companies to better our economy,” says Dennis Small, NASA’s NBRPA Project Manager.

“This is a game-changer for our association,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “By partnering with NASA and giving our players access to these resources, players will be given a serious leg up when it comes to entrepreneurial, investment and technology opportunities.”

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Media Contact:
Brad Shulkin
Brad.shulkin@kemperlesnik.com
847.894.1808

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. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Casey Shaw, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Grant Hill, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Sam Perkins, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.

Huntington, NY (Nov. 5, 2018) – AthLife® announces an expansion of services to former NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotter players through a partnership with the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA).  The expanded services are aimed at providing membership with extended one­-to­-one advising related to professional development, career development, and educational advising support.

“Furthering our partnership with AthLife provides a benefit to our members that strikes at the core of our mission, which is to assist our membership with their transition to life beyond their playing days”, says Scott Rochelle, President and CEO of the NBRPA.

AthLife was formed in 2004 to service the education, career development, and life skill needs of athletes.  With the support of an AthLife Advisor, professional and post­professional athletes are empowered to build their skills in the areas of professional development including career exploration, education planning, goal setting, resume building, networking and interviewing.  AthLife’s approach is to guide the client through a process that builds skills and confidence, thus enabling them to assume control over their ongoing career development.

“Former NBA players have so much to offer the workforce and their communities.  When their playing career comes to an end, some need guidance as to how they can shift their focus and leverage skills from being the best in the world at one profession to building towards a successful career in another.  AthLife Advisors work with former players to first identify, then build and promote fundamental skills and knowledge in areas where they have a passion so they can take on new career challenges.” says Jon Harris, President and Founder of AthLife. 

Currently, AthLife also has service agreements with the NFL Players Association, The Trust (powered by the NFLPA), NBA Players Legacy Fund, WWE, Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Union to assist their constituency with career development and continuing education needs.

Athlife Inc.| Huntington, NY | www.athlife.com Contact: Jon Harris |info@athlife.com|631.385.1946

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. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Casey Shaw, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Sam Perkins, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.

 CHICAGO (Sept. 27, 2018) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced their continued support of former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players through the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the league.  The agreement, which provides licensing revenue and transition programming to former athletes, includes the rights to profits generated from the sale of apparel, game footage, jerseys, trading cards, collectibles and video games, among other items.  The amount of licensing revenue given to former basketball players has increased year-over-year, with a 294 percent growth since 2010.

“We are thrilled to work with the NBA on this initiative and give our players increased opportunities for additional licensing revenue,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle.  “We will continue to work with the NBA to ensure more of our players are represented under this agreement.”

Royalties accrued through the program will be paid directly to NBRPA members.  Former players who choose to opt in to the program will also receive partial NBRPA benefits, including access to paid opportunities, transition services, health benefits, educational programs and career development.

The NBRPA is the official alumni association for former NBA and WNBA players and the only organization of its kind that is directly supported by both the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Former professional basketball players can participate in the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the NBA by signing the NBRPA authorization form.  To obtain an authorization form, please email info@legendsofbasketball.com or call the NBRPA main office at 312.913.9400.  

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Media Contact:

Brad Shulkin
Brad.shulkin@kemperlesnik.com
847.894.1808

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. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Casey Shaw, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Sam Perkins, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.

CHICAGO (Sept. 6, 2018) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) continue to provide licensing revenue and transition programming to former stars under the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the NBA, an agreement that provides additional funds to and in support of former basketball players.

The program includes fees generated from the sale of apparel, game footage, jersey sales, collectables, as well as the popular NBA 2K basketball video game, among other items. The amount of licensing revenue given to former basketball players has increased year-over-year, with a 294 percent growth since 2010.

“We are thrilled to work with the NBA on this initiative and give our players increased opportunities for additional licensing revenue,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “We will continue to work with the NBA 2K franchise and other entities to ensure more of our players are represented under this agreement.”

Royalties accrued through the program will be paid directly to NBRPA members. Former players who choose to opt into the program will also receive partial NBRPA benefits, including access to paid opportunities, transition services, health benefits, educational programs and career development.

The NBRPA is the official alumni association for former NBA and WNBA players and the only organization of its kind that is directly supported by both the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Former professional basketball players can participate in the NBRPA’s Licensing Partnership with the NBA by signing the NBRPA authorization form. To obtain an authorization form, please email info@legendsofbasketball.com or call the NBRPA main office at 312.913.9400.

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Media Contact:
Brad Shulkin
Brad.shulkin@kemperlesnik.com
847.894.1808

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. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Casey Shaw, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Sam Perkins, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.

ABOUT THE NBA
The NBA is a global sports and media business built around three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League. The league has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages, and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on 6 continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2015-16 season featured 100 international players from 37 countries and territories. NBA Digital's assets include NBA TV, NBA.com and the NBA App, which achieved record viewership and traffic during the 2015-16 season. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than one billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

Board Secretary Nancy Lieberman has her team positioned to make a deep run into the playoffs. Finishing tied for first with a 7-1 record to finish the regular season, Power’s roster includes Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Glen Davis, Xavier Silas, Ryan Gomes, Quentin Richardson and Chris Andersen.

Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Inductee Rick Barry will take his deep and experienced squad into the playoffs. The Ball Hogs’ roster is headlined by Brian Scalabrine and includes former players Josh Childress, Deshawn Stevenson, Andre Owens, Corsley Edwards and Jermaine Taylor.

NBRPA Board Member Jerome Williams has taken every opportunity to motivate youth in his post-playing career and this opportunity with the Young3 is just his latest endeavor. Through the program, President Jerome Williams and fellow players look to advance 3-on-3 basketball in the local communities that the Big 3 visits. The program aims to motivate and inspire young people to build a solid foundation of healthy eating, good decisions and setting and fulfilling goals in life.

The National Basketball Retired Players Association wrapped up its annual Legends Conference in Las Vegas this week. Legends from around the world, both past and present, came together for a series of professional and personal development events. NBRPA partners joined in on the fun and provided resources for Legends, from financial planning to free health screenings through the NBPA.

On Thursday, July 12, the NBRPA hosted a technology summit led by the most tech-savvy members and partners who provided keys to investing, highlighted areas of opportunity and introduced new technologies that can help NBRPA members advance their personal brands or businesses. Panelists Stephen Bardo (NBA Alumni, Analyst), Caron Butler (NBA Alumni, Entrepreneur, Tech Investor), Israel Idonije (NFL Alumni, Entrepreneur, Tech Investor) and Rashaun Williams (Venture Capitalist) discussed new technologies, gadgets and trends, and Legends had the chance to ask questions and provide insight as well.

From the successful tech summit to the fan-favorite Women of Influence summit which featured panelists Lisa Leslie, Rushia Brown, Michele Roberts, LaChina Robinson and Jennifer Azzi, the week was an overall success. Check out @NBAAlumni on social media for more highlights throughout the week as well as updates on future NBRPA programs and events.