November 2024 NBRPA Member Spotlights

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight NBRPA members from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Chris Owens, a distinguished figure in both basketball and real estate, first gained national recognition as the 1997 Texas Mr. Basketball. A standout at the University of Texas, Owens showcased his exceptional talent and determination on the court, which led to his selection in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. On draft night, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he made his professional debut and played his rookie season. 

Following his time in the NBA, Owens embarked on an impressive 12-year international career, competing in various European leagues across Germany, Greece, Turkey, France, Ukraine, and Spain. He ultimately retired from professional basketball in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of skill and tenacity. 

Leveraging the same dedication and professionalism that defined his athletic career, Owens successfully transitioned into the real estate sector, currently serving as one of Douglas Elliman’s top realtors. In this role, he has demonstrated remarkable prowess, recently closing 45 properties—residential and commercial—totaling millions in value. 

In addition to his professional achievements, Chris Owens is proud to be the great-nephew of the legendary track and field athlete Jesse Owens, who captured four Gold Medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This familial legacy of excellence continues to inspire Owens in all his endeavors. 

Arthur C. Becker was born in Akron, Ohio. The 6 ft 7 in forward from Arizona State University played six seasons (1967–1973) in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a member of the Houston Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Rockets, Dallas Chaparrals, and New York Nets. He averaged 12.5 points per game over the course of his career and appeared in two ABA All-Star Games. 

He was traded to Denver the following season but remembers his season-and-a-half with the Pacers as the highlight of his six-season professional career. 

"It was just magical for me," Becker says. "The community was great. People would know who you are everywhere you went." 

Becker's favorite memory was getting a press pass for the Indianapolis 500 and watching the race from inside the first turn. "It was just crazy," he says. "I might have taken a couple of pictures." 

Since 2005, Becker has served as president of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). He served two stints (1974–1981; 1993–1996) as men's head basketball coach at Scottsdale Community College and coached men's tennis at Scottsdale from 1981 to 1983. 

Anita Maxwell-Skipper hails from Rome, Mississippi, and later moved to Dallas, Texas, where she excelled in multiple sports at Lake Highlands High School. Her basketball skill led her to New Mexico State University (NMSU), where she became a legendary figure.  

Anita's collegiate achievements include being a 4-time First Team All-Conference Honoree, Two-Time Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year. She etched her name in NCAA history as the first player to reach milestones like 2500 points, 1000 rebounds, and 300 steals in a career. Anita's jersey, #40, was retired by NMSU, and she was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. 

After a successful college career, Anita played professionally overseas in Israel and Turkey and for the Cleveland Rockers during the inaugural season of the WNBA. 

Anita's journey post-basketball is a testament to her versatility and dedication to community service. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management. 

Her career trajectory saw her transition from playing professionally to roles in business, nonprofit, and public service.  Anita's first job after basketball was with J.O.Y. Foods, where she gained valuable experience in administration, logistics, and sales.  Her passion for public advocacy led her to graduate school and volunteer work with United Way, focusing on community impact and urban development. 

Anita's diverse experiences also include a stint at the NCAA Headquarters, where she was responsible for hotels and media for the Women's Final Four event. Later, as Vice President of Community Initiatives at United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, she oversaw their community investments, funding community agency programs that addressed social equity issues. 

Anita's career took a unique turn when she was recruited to be a part of healthcare CO-OP started in South Carolina as a part of the Affordable Care Act. She played a pivotal role in its growth and community outreach. 

Currently, Anita operates Skipper Financial Group alongside her husband, offering financial services and coaching to empower individuals with financial literacy. Her expertise in sales, marketing, and community engagement continues to drive positive change and financial education, particularly among athletes transitioning from sports. 

Aside from her professional endeavors, Anita is deeply involved in her community, serving as the Chief Public Information Officer for her local county government. She also finds time to contribute as a color analyst for New Mexico State University's Men's Basketball Team, showcasing her passion for sports and broadcasting. 

Anita's commitment to community service extends beyond her professional roles. She actively engages in real estate investments, providing affordable housing options and participating in various speaking engagements and mentorship programs. Her accolades include being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a graduate of Leadership Las Cruces, and a participant in EY's Women Athletes Business Network (WABN) Mentoring Program. 

Anita's multifaceted journey reflects resilience, leadership, and a relentless drive to create positive change wherever she goes.  She is an active and proud member of the NBRPA, where she has served for years contributing greatly to the association.  

Paul “Showtime” Gaffney played professionally with Harlem Globetrotters for 15 years with now 48 years of experience in the sports industry. He has traveled around the world completely three (3) times and played in over 93 countries. He has been seen on several television and heard on radio shows across the globe. From appearing on talk show such as Oprah & Jay Leno to the People of the South in South Africa. He has dined with Presidents, Statesmen, Kings and Queens. Gaffney received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Tennessee Wesleyan University while being All-District, All-Conference, and All-American basketball player.  

Showtime has created Gaffney Athletic Preparatory Academy (GAPA), the nation's first International T.E.A.M.S College Preparatory Christian Academy serving Sports Enthusiasts in grades K- 12th. T.E.A.M.S is a new learning model which its acronym stands for Technology, Engineering, Athletics, Mathematics, and Science. This new learning model takes the concepts of STEM and views them the Lens of Athletics while teaching student about the vast careers in the world of sports. GAPA is school for athletic or nonathletic students who has a Love and Desire to be in World of Athletics.  Gaffney has also created an international sport logistic, development, and management company which creates a holistic sports environment called Sports University International, Inc. (SUI). His vision for these companies, which both are in the world of education and sports, are to provide the “Ultimate Academic Sports Destination and Experience which prepares Sports U for College, Careers, and Life in a Holistic environment.    

One of the most historical times for Gaffney, other than playing in front of his grandmother for first time, was being a part of the first professional sports team to play in free and democratic South Africa while meeting and playing basketball with the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, twice.  

Gaffney does motivational speeches, hosts sporting events, and sports tutoring & mentoring. Along with GAPA and Sports University, Gaffney is a member of the AAU’s Future Leaders Committee, the Tennessee Wesleyan University Hall of Fame, and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Globetrotters.  Gaffney is one of Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Board of Governors while serving on several other boards and community outreach organizations.   

Gaffney's life did not start with all this glitz and glamour.  Before the crowds started screaming “Showtime” while becoming a professional athlete with the Harlem Globetrotters, developing GAPA, or being a member of the basketball Hall of Fame, there were a baby boy born in a small coal-mining town in rural Kentucky called Benham, to an unmarried teenage mom.  Realizing, during her pregnancy, that she could not provide for him properly, she placed him up for adoption before birth. Turning two years old, his adoptive mother died with him by her side; his is adoptive father, now a single parent, then raised him alone.  By all accounts, these scenarios are the making of a negative path for a “at-risk child”, but his outcome was quite different from what it could have been.  His life is a perfect example of how the concepts of sports, innovative educational programs, and community partnerships working together can make a difference in preparing a sports enthusiast for College, Careers, and Life.   

Gaffney is currently living in Cleveland, TN with his wife and 2 two kids. Paul “Showtime” Gaffney is also becoming an author, with his new book called “Making of A Diamond”, with an estimated release date early 2024.  

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight NBRPA members from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Mike Bantom played his college basketball at St. Joseph University where he was an All-American as a senior, a two-time All-Big 5 selection, and a member of the 1972 USA Olympic Men’s basketball team. Bantom was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the eighth pick in the 1972 NBA draft. He played nine years in the NBA as a member of the Suns, Seattle Supersonics, New York Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Philadelphia 76ers. He earned a spot on the All-Rookie team.

After retiring as a player, Bantom began working at the NBA as a Licensing Manager for NBA International and held that position until 1992 when he became the International Director of Marketing Programs. During his tenure, he oversaw some of the NBA’s more innovative international endeavors such as the NBA Coaches Program and the NBA 3on3 Programs which focused on teaching the game and increasing player participation in the sport. Bantom was promoted to a plethora of different positions throughout his time at the NBA including VP of Events and Attractions, Sr. VP of Player Development, Executive VP of Referee Operations, and EVP of League Operations.

Mike left the NBA in 2020 and has since been focusing on the structuring and growth of his family business. He has also been a trustee on several non-profit boards focused on education in his hometown of Philadelphia. He also joined the Board for the NBRPA in 2023.

Gerald Govan is a retired American professional basketball player. He played nine seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967-1976. Govan was born in Jersey City, New Jersey where he played basketball at Henry Snyder High School. He didn’t pan to play college ball, thinking he was destined for a factory job, but his high school coach pushed him to apply.

Gerald played college ball at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas.  He spent the year after his graduation playing professional basketball in Italy. Govan spent nine years in the American Basketball Association, playing for the New Orleans Buccaneers, Memphis Pros, Utah Stars, and Virginia Squires. He is nicknamed “Go-Go” and he was one of the rare basketball players who wore spectacles. He also appeared in the 1970 All-Star Game. Govan is one of only six players to have participated in each of the original ABA’s nine seasons of existence. He appeared in 681 regular season ABA games – 4^th all-time. 

After Govan retired, he worked as a probation officer for 25 years. He occasionally worked alongside fellow probation officer Bob Hurley.

Kym Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky where she would have a stellar high school basketball career and earn honors to the Kentucky All-State team as the starting center. She would attend Arizona State University where she became the all-time leading scorer and rebounder, a record that still stands more than 30 years later. Kym graduated from Arizona State with a B.A. in theatre. Arizona State retired Kym’s jersey in 1988 and inducted her into the Arizona State Hall of Fame.

Kym was drafted as the number four overall pick in the WNBA inaugural season to the New York Liberty. She played for three seasons starting every single game, including an All-Star appearance in 1999, before retiring. The New York Liberty would later honor Hampton into the Ring of Honor. Hampton also played 13 seasons professionally overseas in Italy, Spain, France, and Japan.

Throughout her career, she signed with high profile agencies modeling for Cover Girl, Lane Bryant, and Ashley Stewart. Kym is also a professional singer who has performed across the United States. After retiring, she worked for both the New York Liberty and New York Knicks in the front office. She has also served as a color analyst, a sports consultant, a coach, a motivational speaker, and is currently a key partner specialist at Nike.

Dedrick’s basketball journey began after graduating high school when he joined the Detroit Neighborhood basketball program. Fate intervened when Dedrick landed in the same dorm as fellow MSU freshman Terry Furlow. Encouraged by Furlow, Dedrick introduced himself to the coaches at Jenison Field House. He made the J.V. team under Coach Pat Miller, and followed him to Northwood University earning a basketball scholarship. As a senior at Northwood. Reffigee averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds per game while also leading the conference in blocked shots and earning an all-conference selection.

Dedrick’s journey took him to California for the Pro Summer League where he met Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Brenda Shur. Impressed by his skills, Shur invited Dedrick to the Hawks rookie camp and eventually veterans camp. This led to him playing two years overseas, winning a championship in Portugal. Dedrick’s talent caught the eye of NBA scout Marty Blake who facilitated a tryout with the Harlem Globetrotters International team. Dedrick secured a spot on the team where he served as a rebounding whiz from 1982 to 1989.

After retiring, Dedrick decided to pursue his passion for education. He became a substitute teacher at Toledo Public Schools and eventually a full-time teacher.  He has been an integral part of TPS inspiring and mentoring students daily. Outside of his teaching career, Dedrick founded the Dedrick Reffigee Youth Foundation (DRYF) where he organizes math and basketball camps for 5^th-8^th graders during the summer. His foundation reflects his commitment to making a positive impact on children’s lives by providing mentorship, teaching, and support.

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight NBRPA members from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Known as one of the NBA’s most intimidating enforcers, and one of its most compassionate teammates, Kendrick Perkins had a tremendous 14-year basketball career. Perkins was drafted to the NBA straight out of high school. He played for numerous organizations throughout his career and captured his first NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008. In 2011, he went to play for OKC where he led the thunder to a finals appearance the following year.

Following his retirement, Perkins became an on-air sports commentator and analyst for ESPN and NBC Sports Boston. Perkins is using his big personality and strong player relationships to deliver unique basketball insights on numerous shows including NBA Today, Get Up, First Take, and Sportscenter.

George Adams was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He played college basketball for the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs where he is currently the leading scorer and rebounder in program history.

Adams played alongside Artis Gilmore during the 1968-69 season. Bulldogs head coach Eddie Holbrook commented on the two calling them “two of the hardest-working players [he] ever coached”.

Adams was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the third round of the 1972 NBA Draft. He spent his playing career with the San Diego Conquistadors of the American Basketball Association (ABA) where he was coached by Wilt Chamberlain and K.C. Jones.

He was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and inducted into the Cleveland County fellowship of Christian-Athletes Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Carolyn Moos was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota where, at an early age in her life, she would fall in love with the game of basketball. Through hard work and determination, Carolyn would become one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. She would garnish up a Blue Star Index ranking as the number 1 post player in the country out of high school. Moos would also be voted as the consensus Minnesota basketball player of the year unanimously by the Associated Press, USA Today, Gatorade, and the State of Minnesota.

Carolyn would choose to play for Stanford University, where she would become a two-time All-Pac 10 player before being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. Carolyn would go on to play professional basketball all around the world and become acknowledged by FIBA to participate in a highly decorated All-Star game in France.

After her professional basketball career, she would become a certified personal trainer. She would create Fitforlivinglife.com where she provides yoga workouts and nutrition content. She is also Director of Fitness and Wellness at Belle Haven Country Club. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and coach, Carolyn Moos continues to inspire others through her diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to personal growth and social impact.

Hubert Ausbie attended Douglas High School where he played basketball and baseball. During a tournament his senior year, he averaged 40 points per game scoring 70,54, and 62 in three consecutive games. Ausbie went to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors. He was one of the leading college scorers in the NCAA’s College Division (later being called Division II) averaging 30 points per game.

Ausbie was offered contracts from MLB and NBA however he chose to join the Harlem Globetrotters after his wife sent letters describing his play to the team’s founder and him attending an open workout in 1961. Ausbie become the “Crown Prince of Basketball” for his dazzling play and irrepressible pranks on the court.

Ausbie retired in 1985 and pursued other interests such as involvement in Drug-Free Youth Program and Traveling Museum showcase. He served on the advisory committee for the National Youth Sports Program. In 1994, he received a Globetrotters Legends ring, a recognition given to only a few elite former players. The next year, he became head coach and manager of operations for the Globetrotters. His jersey number 35 was retired by the Globetrotters in 2017.

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight NBRPA members from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

From an electrifying college playing career after playing for legendary head coach Dean Smith and earning Sports Illustrated Player of the Year, All-America first team and All- ACC honors at North Carolina, Jerry Stackhouse was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. He was named to the 1995-96 NBA All-Rookie first team after leading all first-year players in scoring (19.8 points).

Stackhouse played 18 seasons in the NBA for 8 teams. He was selected to play in 2 All-Star games.

Stackhouse received his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina in the fall of 1999, and completed the Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports at the Harvard Business School executive education program in 2017.

He was the head coach of Raptors 905 and an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, he has worked as an NBA TV analyst. On April 5, 2019, Stackhouse was named as the Vanderbilt men’s basketball program, making him the program’s 28th head coach. The 2023-24 season is the fifth for Jerry Stackhouse leading the resurgence of the Vanderbilt men’s basketball program.

Stackhouse has guided the Commodores to back-to-back winning seasons and NIT quarterfinals berths in 2022 and 2023, sent four student-athletes to the NBA and coached two SEC Scholar Athletes of the Year in his first four seasons in Nashville.

For the 2022-23 season, he earned SEC Co-Coach of the Year, Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year and Ben Jobe National Minority Coach of the Year honors. The team’s 22 wins in 2022-23 were the most since a 25-win season in 2011-12. Vandy also finished tied for fourth in the SEC regular season standings, the best finish for the Dores since 2011-12.

Greg Oden was born in Buffalo, NY and moved with his family to Terre Haute, IN at the age of nine. He attended Sarah Scott Middle School in Terre Haute, where he first played interscholastic basketball. Oden then relocated with his mother and brother and attended Lawrence North High school in Indianapolis, which he led to three consecutive Indiana Class 4A basketball championships before graduating in 2006.

He was named Parade’s High School Co-Player of the Year 2005 and 2005 National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He repeated as Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2006. Oden was named the 2006 Indiana Mr. Basketball. He was also on the McDonald’s All-American Team and played in the All-American game, and earned first- team Parade All-American honors for the second straight year.

Oden, a 7'0" center, played college basketball at Ohio State University for one season, during which the team was the Big Ten Conference regular season champion and Big Ten Conference men’s basketball tournament champion with Oden as the tournament MOP.

On June 28, 2007, Greg Oden was selected first overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He signed with the Miami Heat in August 2013 and played with the team through the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

On April 12, 2016, Oden was hired by the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team to be the student manager for the team while he went back to finish his degree at the college. In 2019, Oden graduated from Ohio State with a bachelor's degree in sport industry.

On November 21, 2019, Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment announced that Oden had joined their team as an athlete advisor.

In April 2022, Oden joined Thad Matta’s staff at Butler University as director of basketball operations.

Oden married his wife Sabrina in 2017. They have one child, a daughter named Londyn, born in 2016.

Warren Lee Davis was born in Halifax, Virginia. After graduating from Mary M Bethune High School, he got a job but kept playing ball on the side. He was later recruited by Cal Irvin to play at North Carolina A&T on a perennial 20-win team.

In his first season on the Aggies varsity, Warren pulled down 381 rebounds to set a new school record. It still ranks third on the school’s all-time single season list. A&T captured the CIAA championship that season. The Aggies won the championship again in 1967.

In 1967, Warren began his pro career with the Anaheim Amigos of the newly formed American Basketball Association. In 1968–69, Warren played for the Los Angeles Stars under NBA legend Bill Sharman. He led the team in rebounding and played both forward and center for the Stars. Warren was selected to represent the West in the ABA All-Star Game.

The following season, the Stars acquired power forward Willie Wise, making Warren expandable. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pipers at midseason. He averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds a game playing for another pro hoops legend, Buddy Jeannette.

Warren then joined the Miami Floridians, his fourth team in as many seasons in 1970–71. At the conclusion of the season, he wrote a letter to the Carolina Cougars asking for a tryout –– Coach Tom Meschery gave him a shot and Warren made the club. Halfway through the season, he was traded to the Memphis Pros for Wendell Ladner.

Warren played his final year in the ABA with Memphis in 1972–73 and was out of basketball at the age of 30, but his name can still be found in the ABA record books. He is ranked among the Top 20 in career offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and rebounds per game. His name can also be found in the North Carolina A&T record books—and the A&T Hall of Fame. Warren was inducted in 2003, at the age of 60.

Stephen Chubin was born in New York City and played college basketball at the University of Rhode Island, where he became the school's all- time leading scorer.

He was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.

He won a gold medal with Team USA in basketball at the 1965 Maccabiah Games in Israel.

While in his dorm room, Chubin got the call that he was drafted to the NBA’s San Francisco Warriors. At the same time, Chubin was offered Bill Bradley’s spot on Italy’s basketball team, the second-best squad in the world behind America. He immediately accepted, not confident that he would make the NBA that year.

The opening of the ABA drastically increased the amount of playing positions. Chubin returned to the United States and played his first two years in the ABA in Los Angeles, later playing in Indiana followed by two years on the New York Nets.

After retiring from the ABA, Chubin played basketball in Israel before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It was there where he learned about his friend Warren Jabali’s Midnight Basketball program in Miami, which taught the game to inner-city youths. With the help of a government grant, Chubin opened a similar program in Fort Lauderdale in the ’90s called Broward County Under the Stars.

Chubin now lives in Denver, and though he is no longer involved in an organized program, he enjoys helping neighborhood children develop fundamental basketball skills, finding that he still has what it takes to offer helpful tips to young players.

Andrea Garner was raised in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, where she fell in love with the game and developed into a nationally known player for J.R. Masterman High School.

Throughout high school, Andrea earned numerous awards for her athletic and academic excellence, becoming the first and only student- athlete from Masterman High School to earn a full four-year athletic scholarship to a Division I University. Andrea accepted an athletic scholarship to play basketball at The Pennsylvania State University, where she was a four-year starter for the women’s team. She would go on to earn many accolades during her collegiate career at Penn State before graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Marketing.

Upon graduation, Andrea was drafted to the Houston Comets and also played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. She played professionally in the US and abroad before ending her basketball career in 2005.

Andrea has been able to do what most people dream in combining her passion for sports into a successful and fulfilling career in education. Throughout Andrea's personal life and professional career, she has strived to be a tangible example of what true leadership looks like in her community and in her home. She has mentored hundreds of students and is the mother of two amazing children.

Andrea is a mother, a mentor, a leader, the Executive Director for Inspiring Minds Greater Philadelphia, an employee for Nike at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, and a proud serving member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

Chantelle Anderson is a former professional athlete and award-winning sales representative turned speaker, author, and minister. Chantelle attended Vanderbilt University on a basketball scholarship and majored in Human and Organizational Development. Four years later, she graduated as the school’s all-time scoring leader and its first 2-time Kodak All-American.

Chantelle Anderson was selected as the 2nd overall pick in the WNBA draft and played for six years in Sacramento, San Antonio and Atlanta, as well as professionally in Europe. She has been inducted into both the Vanderbilt Athletics and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

After 4 years in Corporate America, she started Anderson Consulting, a coaching and consulting firm focusing on proven performance strategies. Chantelle has taught her curriculum at companies such as Google, UnitedHealth Group, and Charles Schwab, and been featured on platforms and media outlets such as TEDx, CBS, and ESPNW.

In 2018, Chantelle chose to pursue ministry in addition to corporate speaking. She got her bachelors degree in ministry for women and was ordained as a pastor for women. She started her online brand, Confidently His, which is a platform to help women build their confidence, identity, and creativity with God. In 2020 she published her first book of devotionals entitled, "God, What The Heck?! 100 Devotionals for When Life Sucks," and has spoken at ministries from California to London on spiritual confidence.

Chantelle now lives in Los Angeles, California where she also serves as a proud member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. In her free time, you can find Chantelle at an open mic night, eating Mexican food, or hosting a movie night with friends.

Greg Bell was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Through learning the fundamentals of the game and playing at various Cleveland Recreation Centers he became one of the top Jr. High School players in the Greater Cleveland Area.

In 1983 he became 1^st Team All-Ohio, All State, AAA Northeast Ohio player of The Year, 1^st Player from Shaw High School to play in the North/South Classic All-Star Game, and Nate Thurmond Recipient Award Winner.

Greg Bell attended Southeast Community College in Burlington, Iowa from 1983-1985 where he was 1^st Team All-Region and SCC Top 50 players.

Greg Bell transferred to Southwest Missouri State University from 1985-1987 where he continued to have a stellar career: 1986 AMCU All-Newcomer Team, SMS Coors Player of the Week five times in 1986, SMS Coor Player of the Week five times in 1987, SW Missouri State’s First ever NCAA Appearance 1987, and 2005 SW Missouri State Hall of Fame Recipient.

Bell joined the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters and played from 1990-1992 with both National and International units as The Court Jester, and Showman.

Greg founded BELL SPORTS FOUNDATION in 2011. BSF mission is to “Inspire Youth through Sports” and build and enrich communities and lives of individuals by providing a safe, welcoming and rewarding environment for all participants, at all levels of wellness and recreation.

The Board of Governors of the American Basketball Hall of Fame Foundation announced this month that Cleveland’s own Greg Bell has been selected to the American Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.

Greg currently is the founder and owner of Fundamental Basketball Skills with G. Bell LLC. Greg Bell is married and has two daughters, and 3 grandchildren.

Lionel Garrett is like a "rolling stone," wherever he lays his hat is his home. He first laid his "basketball" hat at HBCU Southern University where he dominated the SWAC Conference from 75-79. He was named to the All-SWAC team 3 years leading the SWAC in Rebounding his senior season (15.8). He still holds several NCAA D1 records, including a single-game 30 point, 30 rebound effort, during the '79 season, when he finished tops in rebounding nationally. Garrett was a natural forward. He was the Leading rebounder for the Southern University Championship Team earning All SWAC and All American honors. In 2007 inducted into the Southern University Athletic Hall of Fame.

After signing with the San Diego Clippers when picked in the '79 NBA Draft, Garrett hung his brim with the with the Hall of Fame team the Harlem Globetrotters as their designated rebounder. Garrett then had a stint with CAI Zaragoza in Spain and then the Ohio Mixers and Wyoming Wildcatters of the CBA.

With over 30 years of basketball coaching and scouting experience in the NBA, NAIA, NCAA, CBA, WBA, ABA, and FIBA having coached in 3 countries Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Cyprus also 3 HBCU Colleges Miles, Talladega and Wilberforce. Also coaching Professionally for 12 years leading Pro Camps and player development helping many players achieve playing Professionally dreams.

Garrett is founder of Rebound DR Player Development, Don’t Foul Out Youth Awareness/ Playground League and Stay on The Ball Stay off Drugs youth programs.

Lionel is a natural born Goodwill Ambassador and proud Globetrotter for Life.

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight one NBRPA member from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Rodney Ray Rogers is an American former professional basketball player who played for several teams in the NBA.

Rogers was the fourth and youngest child born to Willie Wardsworth and Estella Rogers. Rogers attended Hillside High School in Durham. As an athlete, he was known as "the Durham Bull." He was a two-time Greensboro News & Record All-State selection, and was named the 1990 North Carolina state Player of the Year. As a junior, he averaged 22.5 points and 9.7 rebounds, and in his senior year he averaged 28.3 points and 12.3 rebounds on a team that finished 27-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the state 4-A playoffs. He was named McDonald's All-American and scored 17 points in the game.

From 1990 until 1993, Rogers played college basketball at Wake Forest University, where he won the 1990–1991 season Rookie of the Year honor and was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1993, averaging 21.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. His final college statistics were 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. Rogers's college jersey #54 was retired in February 1996 by the Demon Deacons.

Rogers was drafted with the 9th pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 1993 NBA draft and spent his rookie year coming off the bench for a team which was the first 8th-seeded team in NBA playoffs history to beat a first-seeded team, the Seattle SuperSonics. Rogers had one significant game in his rookie year, against the Utah Jazz on February 8, 1994. Near the end of the game, Rogers hit three 3-pointers in a span of nine seconds to bring the Nuggets from a 94–86 deficit to a 95–94 lead. However, Jeff Malone hit a jumper with 12 seconds remaining to give the Jazz the 96–95 win.

Right after being drafted by the Denver Nuggets, in the summer of 1993, Rogers married Tisa White. They had three children together, two girls (Roddreka and Rydeiah) and one son (Rodney Rogers II).

After Rogers was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1999, the family made Paradise Valley, Arizona their home until 2006. Tisa returned to Durham to take over her father's family real estate business, in which Rogers was an investor. He returned to Durham in 2006 and went to work for the City of Durham as a heavy equipment operator. Rogers was promoted to supervisor in the spring of 2008. Most of his Public Works Department co-workers did not know he had been in the NBA until his dirt bike accident later that year.

Rogers is the cousin of former New England Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain.

Rogers was a volunteer girls' basketball coach at Rogers-Herr Middle School, and he co-founded the Durham Eagles youth football team. He enjoyed hunting, riding motorcycles and ATVs, horseback riding and fishing. He is a NASCAR fan and loves big trucks and construction equipment.

On November 28, 2008, Rogers was involved in a dirt bike crash in rural Vance County north of Raleigh. Rogers hit a ditch while riding through a trail and flipped over his vehicle's handlebars. He was first flown to Duke University Medical Center, then on December 3 was moved by air ambulance to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, which specializes in rehabilitating people with spinal cord and/or brain injuries. Rogers is paralyzed from the shoulders down as a result of the accident, and doctors have given him only a 5% chance of ever walking again.

On July 29, the Pittsburgh Pipers of the ABA announced the signing of their 11^th player, or more correctly they made their 11^th announcement of a player signing. Apparently, Kelly had been signed for several weeks, but legendary Pittsburgh Press sportswriter Roy McHugh let the cat out of the bag in a column the day before. He wrote that the 6-2 guard, a recent graduate of Lincoln University of Missouri, had been in town for weeks, and had already been competing in the Stanton Heights summer basketball league in Pittsburgh. He had been drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 8^th round, 85^th overall, of the NBA Draft, but chose the Pipers because, “he felt his chances were better in a new league.” He found out how rough street ball can be, especially when the opponents find out “you’re college or pro.” Arvesta said he felt like a “clay pigeon,” the standard treatment a target like that would receive in any street ball league in the country. Arvesta is still to this day, one of only two players from Lincoln to play in the NBA or the ABA.

Arvesta Kelly was drafted on May 2^nd in the 8^th round of the 1967 NBA Draft by the nearby St. Louis Hawks. Arvesta bypassed St. Louis and signed with the Pipers about a month after finishing his college track season which lasted until the end of May.

Arvesta held onto the No. 4 guard slot for the Pipers in 16 regular season games, played 9.1 MPG, and finished 3.9/2.1/0.8 and made three 3-pointers. His season high for points in a regular season game was 15 in a 135-118 win over Anaheim. He played in eight of the 15 playoff games which included two games in the Finals. He played 3.4 MPG and averaged 2.0 PPG. He scored seven points in the final game of the first round series win over the Indiana Pacers. 

Arvesta currently lives in Des Moines, Iowa and is involved in serving at the Community Life Church. He also serves with a local youth organization teaching basketball fundamentals and mentoring youth.

Rushia Brown was born in the Bronx, NY and raised in South Carolina. As a sophomore, she first picked up a ball and joined the Summerville High School Junior Varsity basketball team. Athletic, yet untrained, Rushia began a journey that would forever change her life. 

Through hard work and dedication, she was one of the top student-athlete recruits in the state of South Carolina as a senior; being courted by esteemed universities such as Harvard, Duke University and her then dream school, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.  However, after the loss of her father, Rushia chose to stay close to home and attend Furman University.  

As a Lady Paladin, Rushia pursued her education and competed on the court, attaining every accolade available including Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, multiple MVPs, Southern Conference Player of the Year, Edna Hartness Athlete of the Year and eventually having her jersey hang from the rafters as #34 was retired, never to be worn again. Rushia’s collegiate years lead to a 10 year professional career overseas, which spanned 5 countries; Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Korea and 7 years in the WNBA; 6 years in Cleveland and 1 year in Charlotte. 

When transitioning from the world of professional sports, Rushia decided that she would only pursue the passions that fed her spirit. She earned her Executive MBA from George Washington University to support her efforts. 

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to be a part of starting several companies, including the Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae, the only organization to assist women who have played professionally in the WNBA or Internationally as they transition into mainstream society; ServCom, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve its communities by providing educational and enrichment activities for its citizens; Hearts & Hands Catering, a family business offering health food alternatives; and Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine, a quarterly publication that serves as an educational platform encouraging minorities to start their own businesses.

Brown has made her mark in various sectors of business and continues to travel the world inspiring others to use their gifts and talents to pursue their dreams. Rushia spent 5 years as a WNBA executive. Her 1st experience was working in the NBA/WNBA front office in New York as a member of the Crossover Program. 

In 2018 Brown helped relocate the San Antonio Silver Stars to Las Vegas, where she served  as the Player Programs & Franchise Development Manager for the Las Vegas Aces for 2 years. Brown then served as the Director of Community Relations and Youth Sports for the Los Angeles Sparks for 2 years. She also serves as a catalyst for change for those looking to take their lives and professions to the next level.

Rushia has recently been appointed to position on the advisory board for the WBL, where she's doing groundbreaking work to help revamp the Cleaveland Rockers organization, a team that she played on for 6 WNBA seasons.

Amongst her many accomplishments, what she is currently doing as the latest team member for Edyoucore, may be her most impactful as she travels the country promoting financial literacy amongst high school, college, and professional athletes.

Rushia is the proud mother of one daughter, Morgan MacKenzie Brown, and a proud member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. 

Respected tremendously amongst her peers within the NBRPA for past contributions to the Association, decades long dedication to women in, during, and after sports; in 2023 Rushia was voted onto the NBRPA's Board of Directors, where she now serves and represents membership with passion, and compassion at heart.

Dave Naves was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He had always been enthusiastic about basketball, science, and technology. Making a living doing any of these would be a dream come true. That being his vision, he attended Lindblom Technical HS (a STEM school). His parents as well as teachers and coaches at Lindblom Tech were phenomenal and provided him with the guidance that would shape his future education and business endeavors. As a prep, Naves lettered twice on the hardwood for head coach Edward Bjankini at Chicago Lindblom. He led the team in scoring, plus made Chicago Public League All-Central Blue Division and Honorable Mention All-State in 1966-67. Mr. Naves was heavily recruited by some of the top colleges and universities in the country including the University of Iowa (Big 10), Vanderbilt University (SEC) and the University of Kansas (Big 8) and chose to stay close to home and play basketball at Division 1 Northern Illinois University.

A three-year Northern Illinois letter-winner (1967-71) for NIU Hall of Fame coach, Tom Jorgensen, Naves produced 577 points and 324 rebounds in 52 career appearances. Naves went 6-foot-6 and 183 pounds with a deft perimeter shooting touch for a big man. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.3 points per game and 9.7 rebounds.

In 1971, Naves had free agent tryouts with the American Basketball Association Indiana Pacers. The camp included George McGinnis, Darnel Hillman, and Randy Smith. Naves was also invited to try out for the Harlem Globetrotters. Of the 47 hopefuls, Naves was one of five that made the team. During the 1971-72 season Mr. Naves played for both the National and International Units. His National Unit teammates included Harlem Globetrotter legends Meadowlark Lemmon, Curly Neal, Bobby Joe Mason, Pablo Robertson, and Bobby Hunter. The International Unit teammates included Geese Ausby, Mel Davis, and Bobby “Showboat” Hall. The International Unit performed in Canada, Australia/Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, and New Caledonia. Following the 1971-1972 tour, Mr. Naves was invited to the Dallas Chaparrals tryouts. After being cut, Mr. Naves opted not to return to Globetrotters and began a 47-year career in engineering.

Throughout his 47-year career, Mr. Naves has held engineering, management, or executive positions with Ford Motor Company/Body Engineering, CSX Rail, Jackson and Tull, Swales Aerospace, and SGT, Inc. Mr. Naves holds 4 patents for railcar designs. He was also the CEO and founder of EG&L Systems, Inc.

 Mr. Naves is currently the Manager-Mission Systems Engineering, for Alutiiq/Alcyon Technical Services (ATS). ATS has a $200M contract to provide systems engineering (mission, spacecraft, science instrument, ground systems, and project management) services to support the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. The GSFC focuses on space science that includes heliophysics, planetary science, earth science, and astrophysics programs and projects. In his 37 years providing engineering services at the GSFC, he has supported the Hubble Space Telescope mission; Landsat satellite missions in conjunction with the US Geological Survey; NOAA GOES weather satellite missions to predict changes in the earth’s climate, oceans, and coast as well as the affects of the Sun’s release of charged particles, Space Weather, has on the earth; the GSFC Tracking and Data Relay Satellite constellation’s  spacecraft and ground communication system engineering; and most recently, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/GSFC Mars Sample Return (MSR) Mission-Capture, Containment, and Return System (CCRS) which is a mission to bring soil samples from Mars back to earth.

Mr. Naves has been an active member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) since 2011. He takes very seriously the mission of the NBRPA which is to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game. Mr. Naves served on the NBRPA Board of Directors for 6 years (2016-2021) representing the Harlem Globetrotters. According to Mr. Naves, “It was an honor and privilege to have served on the Board. I had the opportunity to work with other NBA, ABA, and WNBA Board members to make this organization the best it could be and be responsive to the needs of our members.” During his time on the Board, there was significant membership growth, expansion of programs to help members transition from playing to life after basketball, better transparency between the executive team and the members, increases in revenue, and better coordination with NBRPA Chapter’s. For two straight years, Mr. Naves received an invite from the Harlem Globetrotter Executive Management team to speak to players, during training camp, about planning for life after basketball.

Enthusiastic about giving back to the community, Mr. Naves has coached and given youth basketball clinics and is actively involved with his church. Mr. Naves has a fervent desire to encourage our youth to be the best they can be. He believes that with vision, passion, purpose, guidance, and planning, our youth can be successful in all their endeavors; be it academic, sports, business, or relationships. He really enjoys speaking to young people about careers in science, engineering, and technology. Mr. Naves obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Industry-Technology NIU. Mr. Naves is married and has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. He resides in Bowie, Maryland.

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight one NBRPA member from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Jamal Mashburn is most notably known for his success on the basketball court. The former college and NBA All Star spent over 20 years with the Kentucky Wildcats, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and New Orleans Hornets, where he dribbled, dunked, and dazzled fans. Yet, before Mashburn ever set foot on the professional hardwood, he was already preparing for his life after basketball. 

With a natural knack for teambuilding, Mashburn took his skills straight to the business world without missing a beat. Mashburn successfully assembled a team of savvy professionals specializing in administration, finance, project management, insurance, and advertising. This rock-star team quickly developed an ownership model that resulted in an impressive business portfolio. To date, Mashburn — the entrepreneur — has ownership interest in numerous restaurant franchises (38 Outback Steakhouse restaurants, 40 Papa John’s pizza restaurants, and three Dunkin Donuts stores), car dealerships (owner of Kentucky’s Toyota on Nicholasville and Lexus Store of Lexington), real estate, and the thoroughbred horse racing industry. In his spare time (and when not laser-focused on new investment opportunities) Mashburn even served as an ESPN on-air NBA analyst (2006-2010). Currently Mr. Mashburn is a Board Member of the ROI Acquisition Corporation and a Board Member of the FairBridge Hotels International. 

Extremely civic-minded, Mashburn is committed to helping others and giving back to the community. In 1993, before he ever signed his first professional basketball contract, he donated $500,000 to establish and endow the Mashburn Scholarship Fund at the University of Kentucky. The scholarship identifies ninth grade students in the Lexington, Kentucky, area, tracks them through high school, and then awards them a full scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky or Bluegrass Community and Technical College in the event they achieve their academic and personal goals. He is also a founding member, officer, and director of The MAP Foundation (focused on youth mentoring) and Mashburn Family Foundation (offering programs and support for latch-key children and children of alcoholics and single mothers), both of which are non-profit 501(c)(3) corporations. In 20011 Mashburn held a seat on the Board of Directors for the National Forest Foundation and has served on the Advisory Board for Central Bank & Trust Company in Lexington, KY from 2005-2008. Mr. Mashburn also ensures that each of his businesses actively participate in their local communities by way of donations to various charitable organizations. 

Mashburn has taken full advantage of the opportunities afforded to him and now encourages and inspires others to embrace his team-first attitude, helping them achieve success in business — and in life. 

Mack Calvin is a Former ABA-NBA Five Time All-Star Player and Coach, and Future Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. Mack Calvin is the living embodiment of making it against all odds!

His passion and commitment is to inspire young people and others how to remove the “Mental Handcuffs” from their lives to achieve greatness and dream big!!

Mack, was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised on a small farm by his grandparents. His mother and three other siblings moved to Los Angeles, California (Watts) at the age of nine years old to join their father.

During Mack early years, while living in the projects of Watts, he developed his basketball skills playing for the Parks And Recreation Of Los Angeles. At the tender age of fifteen years old, his parents moved to Long Beach, California and Mack attended Long Beach Poly where his basketball skills really developed.

His varsity basketball team winning record was sixty seven wins and one loss. During his two years of competition in the State of California High School competition. During his Senior year, he was the team captain and led the team to a undefeated season with a record of 34-0.

For his efforts, he was voted to the all CIF team and named one of the top ten players in the State of California.

Mack Calvin received over one hundred scholarship offers and letters. Unfortunately, Mack was only reading at the seventh grade level and had a 1.7 GPA. In order to graduate, Ms. Johnson changed his grade in Arts and Crafts to a “C” in order for him to graduate along with his classmates.

Because, of his lack of commitment to studying and negative environment at home, Mack was forced to attend Long Beach City College.

It was at LBCC where Mack met his basketball coaches, Bill Barnes and Chuck Kane, who took an interest in him as a person and were concerned about him as a Student Athlete and made him focus in the classroom.

Mack Calvin graduated from LBCC with academic honors and chose the University of Southern California (USC) over fifty other colleges, including UCLA. Mack Graduated from USC majoring in Sociology.

Mack Calvin believes that all teens are troubled! It is part of the territory! Drugs, alcohol, violence, stress, depression, bullying, peer pressure and self doubt. This is the real world of drama of our young people today!

For over 40 years Mack Calvin has hosted his Free Mack Calvin Youth Educational Fundamental Summer Basketball Camp. His camp is for boys and girls 8 to 17 years old. His camp offers free Lunch (Served Daily), Fundamental Instruction, Life Skills, Free Throw Shooting Contests, and Scrimmages.

Today Mack Calvin is a motivational speaker and youth mentor. Mack Calvin shares with our youth and others that real motivation comes from within one’s self and self esteem! Believing that their is greatness inside us!

Empowerment, Motivation, Energy, Strategy, Discipline:

Mack Calvin leads students through the most powerful life principles they need to pursue their dreams and goals, and more to achieve greatness!

Mack shares his own unique story, no holds barred. He connects with their souls and shows the students how his own personal struggles can positively change their world and change their lives!

Nakia Sanford-Lawson was born in Lithonia, Georgia, where she became well known in her area as an exceptional overall athlete.  She was a double State champion in Georgia, winning state championships in track and field (high jump) and the AAAA championship in basketball. 

Nakia's accomplishments caught the eye of many Division 1 college coaches, but she chose to attend the University of Kansas under Hall of Fame coach Marianne Washington.  While at Kansas, Nakia developed into a nationally known athlete steadily guided under the mentorship of another great legend, Ms. Lynette Woodard.

Nakia would play professionally in 8 different countries and learn how to proficiently speak Italian and French along her journey.  

Sanford would get her big break to play in the WNBA in 2003 for the Washington Mystics.  Nakia would steadily progress in the League, becoming a fixture to the face of the Mystics where she played there from 2003-2010 before getting picked up by the Phoenix Mercury 2011-2012, and again for the Seattle Storm in 2013.

After Nakia finished playing sports, entrepreneurship called, and Sanford answered.  For the past decade, Nakia Sanford-Lawson built an extremely successful financial services career.  She became the Regional Vice-President with Prinerica Advisors.  She's both a licensed financial advisor and a fiduciary. 

Nakia holds a series 6, 63, 26, and 65.  She's built her business and her legacy, helping athletes and executives design post career lifestyles that they deserve.  Within corporate America, she's been branded as "The tall money lady" for all of her outstanding and impressive work.

Nakia Sanford-Lawson is a proud member of the NBRPA, regularly attending and supporting our Associations conferences and events.

Reggie “Air Man” Dixon, a former member of the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters dreamed of one day becoming a professional basketball player. After graduating from Jack Yates High School (Houston, Texas) in 1983 Reggie began a wonderful educational adventure at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York. Reggie fulfilled his dream of playing professional basketball for 11 years with The Harlem Globetrotters. He was the Head Coach for his remaining two years and he was honored to make a little history as the youngest head coach in Globetrotter History. Mr. Dixon has traveled extensively around the globe. With more than 75 countries under his belt, he has sipped tea with Mother Teresa and the late Princess Diana. He has spoken on the same program with Colin Powell, shook Pope John Paul’s hand and celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 78th and 79th birthday’s respectively in Cape Town South Africa.

Mr. Dixon has received a numerous number of awards including the NAACP/Urban Scholarship Program Award, Centuries of Triumph Award and Jack Yates 2021 Hall of Fame Inductee just to name a few. He is a member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBA, WNBA, ABA & Harlem Globetrotters), he composed the team that purchased the Houston Comets and he has been recognized at the Texas State Capital by State Representative Garnet Coleman. He is a regular participant for Congress woman Shelia Jackson-Lee’s Christmas for Youth, Former Mayor Lee Brown’s Help Keep Houston Clean and Former Councilman Gordan Quan’s Christmas Celebration for the Senior Citizens. As a result of Reggie’s tireless efforts and excellent work in the community, in October 2003, The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) honored Reggie with the Prestigious Directors Community Leadership Award. Reggie was the very first Harlem Globetrotter to receive the Legacy Loyalty and Pride Award and he was a participant of the Harlem Globetrotters induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Reggie founded the Reggie “Air Man” Foundation for youth, established in 2013. His Foundation focuses on the social changes of the under privileged children and how to work and live to reduce any child’s behavior problem and improve on their social skills as an individual and/or with their families. As part of his Foundation outreach he has visited more than 1000 schools, spoke to more than one million students and participated in more than 1000 interviews.

NBRPA membership is comprised of a diverse group of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters.

Each month, we'll spotlight one NBRPA member from each league to recognize their career on the court as well as the impact they are now having in their communities.

Lafayette "Fat" Lever is the founder and current president of the Legends of Basketball Phoenix Chapter (legendsofbasketballphx.com). As a business owner, entrepreneur, and community advocate, Fat is dedicated to working towards building strong kids and communities.  The Legends of Basketball Phoenix Chapter offers youth sports and education programs and volunteers to work with community projects and non-profits. Including Feed My Starving Children, Luis Zendajas Foundation, Community Toy Drives, and special events benefiting children, education, and communities. You can also find our Legends hosting Full Court Press events and supporting local Basketball Clubs (Club Teams, Skills Camps, and Clinics). They also lend their support to Technology for Education Projects, STEM Education Programs, and Youth Entrepreneurship Programs. You can find more details here. https://legendsofbasketballphx.com/chapter-programs/

Our Legends lend their celebrity status as motivational speakers, presenters, judges, mentors, and through monetary donations. The Legends of Basketball Phoenix Chapter has sponsored everything from local club teams, to buying computers for schools, large toy drives, and even donating to our local make-a-wish foundation. They have supported events for Kids, Cancer Survivors, and Women Owned Businesses. The Chapter has a community presence everywhere that has a need. Fat Lever supports all the good in our communities, anywhere that needs support and dedicated attention. Playing and interacting with kids, talking to parents and teachers. As club president, he sets an amazing example for what caring for our communities should look like.

Throughout his career, Fat was considered one of the NBA's best point guards. Arizona State University honored him with an induction into the University's Hall of Fame in 1988, in 2004 he became a Pac-10 Hall of Honor inductee, and in 2012  his jersey hung in the rafters at, what was then known as, the Wells Fargo Arena at Arizona State. On December 2, 2017, the NBA's Denver Nuggets retired Fat's number 12 jersey during a winning home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

 Fat's NBA Career didn't end with this retirement from playing ball. He also served as the director of player development for the Sacramento Kings, as well as a color analyst. You can currently hear Fat broadcasting with Altitude Sports

Oliver Darden is a former professional basketball player who played three seasons in the ABA. Darden attended Western High School in Detroit, Michigan, where he was Mr. Basketball for Detroit public schools in 1962. Darden played basketball for the University of Michigan and was a three year starter as part of the team that won three Big Ten championships in 1964, 1965, and 1966, a feat that has not been accomplished since then. He was chosen by his teammates to become the first African American in the history of the University of Michigan basketball to be elected as captain of the team. Darden was also chosen as one of the University of Michigan's top 25 Senior students by the Prestigious Michigamau Honorary fraternity in 1966.

Following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Darden was selected in the 3rd round as the 22nd overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, then going on to play in the ABA from 1967 to 1970 as a member of the Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and Kentucky Colonels. He won ABA championship in 1970 with the Pacers.

His past Board of Directors involvements includes: Chairman of the Board of the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, WSRE television Board of Directors, Baptist Hospital Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Andrews Institute, The Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, YMCA Board of Directors, University of West Florida Business Advisory Board, 100 Hundred Black Men Organization, and numerous involvements with youth organizations, speeches, coaching and motivational speeches.

Today, Darden is a community volunteer and substitute teacher, as well as the owner & operator of The Coffee Cup in Pensacola, Florida.

Janice Lawrence Braxton is one of the greatest legends to ever play in women's basketball.  She was born on June 7th in 1962, during the peak of racial disparities and discrimination of the South in Lucedale, Mississippi.

She would later find an outlet, away from all of the stress of mistreatment that was going on during the civil rights movement, picking up a love for women's basketball. Janice would work so hard in the sport, that she would later become the nations most sought after recruit, dominating the game at George County High School. Recruited by nearly every top tier team in college women's basketball, Janice would choose to play for Louisiana Tech, under the leadership of legendary Hall Of Fame coach, Leon Barmore. While at Louisiana Tech, Janice Lawrence would lead the Techsters to the Nation’s 1st ever National Championship in 1981, and then again in 1982.

After her historic college career, Janice would play in total, 15 straight years of professional women's basketball in Italy; because there were no WNBA professional opportunities yet in the U.S. at that time. She would dominate in Italy and become a super star all over the world before finally getting to showcase her talent professionally in her own country when the WNBA inaugurated in 1997.

Janice, one of the original pioneers of women's basketball, would finally get to come home and play for her home country in the opening season of the WNBA in 1997, playing for the Cleveland Rockers for 3 seasons until 1999.  In 2003 she became an assistant coach for the WNBA Rockers all the way until the team disbanded in 2005.

Before retiring from the sport, Janice Lawrence Braxton would accumulate one of the greatest treasure troves of honors, awards, and accomplishments ever tallied in the game.  She was the 1982 NCAA Tournaments leading scorer and National Championship MVP, a 3 time College All-American, 2 time Kodak All-American, WBCA player of the year, 1984 Wade Trophy recipient, 1983 gold medalist on the Pan Am team, Olympic gold medalist in 1984, won 6 European Cup Championships, 6 Italian Championships, was inducted into Louisiana Tech's Hall Of Fame in 1987, and into the Nation’s Women's Basketball Hall Of Fame of Knoxville, Tennessee in 1996.

Janice now proudly serves as a member of the NBRPA in the capacity as treasurer to the Cleveland, Ohio chapter, where she also helps to plan and organize events in her community.

Harold Williams, a native of Jersey City, NJ has become affectionately known around the world as Lefty after making history as the first ever left-handed Showman in Harlem Globetrotter history. Leading up to this astounding accomplishment and before the world got to know Lefty, Harold began making a name for himself as a high school basketball player. He scored 1000 points and 985 rebounds in only three years on his high school varsity team. In college, he earned defensive player of the year twice. One at Montclair State University as a freshman and again as a junior at New Jersey City University. More impressively, he signed a professional contract after attending a Division 3 school. While many deemed this as impossible, this accomplishment launched what would be a 15-year professional career playing in England, Germany, Japan, with the Harlem Ambassadors.

While he has accomplished many things within the world of basketball, Lefty proclaims that this distinction has been one of the most defining moments in his career. Another defining moment in his career has been in his role as the owner of his show entertainment basketball career, The Harlem Dreams. In this role, one Lefty takes great joy in providing audiences with a source of community pride while remaining firm on the company’s beliefs in unquestionable integrity, being service minded, exhibiting community involvement while continuing to focus on dreaming. All of which are a direct reflection of one of Lefty’s defining achievements off the basketball court – The Harold Lefty Williams Dare2Dream Foundation.

The Harold Lefty Williams Dare2Dream Foundation was launched in 2008, alongside his wife Shyneefa, as the Dare2Dream Campaign in an effort to provide local youth with life changing experiences that would help to broaden their perspectives of all that the world had to offer them. Since then, the campaign has grown into a non-profit organization which strives to do even more! Now, Lefty seeks to not only expose youth to what the world has to offer them, but also to reveal to them what they have to offer the world. His mission is to help young people unwrap the treasures that they have inside. His foundation was recognized by the National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League team the Wisconsin Herd during a Black History Month Celebration. During this celebration, his foundation’s logo was featured on the jerseys of the team’s players. Through events like these, his foundation continues to strive towards a mission of embracing children and inspiring lives.

As Lefty seeks to continue to enrich the lives of youth globally, he has transcended this desire in his role as both a husband and father. Often speaking of his wife and childhood friend, Shyneefa, as one of the reasons that he is who he is today, Lefty also attributes much of this to being a father of three beautiful children- Kiara, EJ & CJ. Naturally, Lefty views the role of dad as one of the most important titles he’ll ever hold. Along with the privilege of raising his children, he also manages their careers in Hollywood, which includes credits on multiple Disney and Nickelodeon projects as well as the ABC Network. With this comes the honor of developing his family into a “multigenerational family of talent which bridges the gap between professional sports and entertainment”, as noted in a Bloomberg article on his family’s multi-year partnership with Canadian based lifestyle brand – RYU (Respect Your Universe).

Currently, Lefty remains determined to build a legacy that positively impacts generations to come. As he works on the release of his first book, the work of his Dare2Dream Foundation, being an active member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association as well as through partnerships with other organizations helping to shape the lives of people in their own communities, Lefty continues to make marks on this world.