Basketball Players Hoop It Up For Charity

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Basketball Players Hoop It Up For Charity CNAPSA)—Readall about it. A basketball and booksclinic hosted by basketball players about to start on their NBAcareers tipped off a series of events called the “Summerof Goodwill.” The summerlong program featured current and former NBA players hosting charity basketball games, fund-raisers, free basketball clinics and community appearances in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and other countries. Each year, National Basketball Association (NBA) players donate millions of dollars and thousands of hours to charity and community outreach programs during the season as well astheoff-season. Since the 1980s, the league has sanctioned basketball games allowing NBAplayers to showcase their on-court skills while raising money for charities and philanthropic causes. These charity games, along with free basketball clinics, appearances and fundraisers, give NBA players the opportunity to say “thank you” to the fans that support them throughout the year. Starting at the end of June, current and former players such as Dikembe Mutombo, Andrei Kirilenko, Marcus Camby and Yao Ming participated in “Basketball Without Borders” camps in Argentina, China, Italy and South Africa. The program promoted grassroots basketball development and HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. “Our players understand giving back to their community is one of Each summer, pro basketball players like the Spurs’ Tony Parker travel thousands of miles, contribute millions of dollars and spend hundreds of hours ona variety of charitable causes. the most fulfilling acts a person ean do,” said Bob Lanier, Basketball Hall of Famer and special assistant to the Commissioner. “Our players do not forget where they came from and by returning to their hometown or traveling overseas, they know it meansa lot to the fans and the community.” This past Summer of Goodwill program also included events such as LeBron James’ King for Kids Bikeathon in Akron, Ohio and the Lincoln Park Musie Jam with Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, Caron Butler, Speedy Claxton, Emeka Okafor and Jalen Rose. This event featured a three-onthree celebrity basketball tournament, carnival games and Read To Achieveactivities. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.nba.com.

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