NBA Players Save Assistant Coach’s Life

Usually a story that happened seven years ago would not get much attention, but this story is an example of human kindness at its best, and the only reason it was not covered previously is because of the players desire to keep it quiet.

Former Los Angeles Clippers players Corey Maggette, Marko Jaric, Chris Kaman, and Elton Brand, paid for their then assistant coach Kim Hughes’ approximate $70,000 surgery for prostate cancer in 2004.

Hughes’ doctor wanted to do the surgery a few months after the diagnosis in September 2004 but Hughes wanted the surgery sooner because of the team’s schedule. The Clippers coach at the time, Mike Dunleavy, referred Hughes to another doctor for a second opinion and the physician told him he could do the surgery in a week.

Unfortunately, the physician was not under Hughes’ insurance plan, so if he chose to go with the new doctor he would have to pay for the surgery himself. Hughes’ agent apparently contacted the Clippers management about the issue with his medical coverage, but was informed that they would not cover the surgery for fear of having to do the same for others should the need arise.

Dunleavy told the players about Hughes’ situation and they took action with no hesitation. Hughes’ cancer was aggressive and if it were not for the surgery, he likely would not have survived. Hughes is crediting Maggette, Jaric, Kaman and Brand for saving his life.

The players felt that paying for the surgery was the right thing to do and did not do it for self-serving purposes. Their generosity truly gives new meaning to team effort.

The Success of Ex-NBA Player Jamal Mashburn

Jamal “Monster Mash” Mashburn should be the poster child of what to do with your life before, during and after a professional NBA career with such teams as the Dallas Mavericks, the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets.

Before Mashburn even signed his first professional basketball contract, he donated $500,000 to establish an endowment that awards high school students a full scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky where he went to college. Mashburn says every child deserves a chance to go to college, including those who are C-students who may not have otherwise had a scholarship opportunity.

Back in 1999, six years after Mashburn entered the NBA, he began seriously thinking about life after basketball. Not knowing how long he would be able to play or how long he wanted to play, Mashburn put his business plan in motion. He decided to step into the automotive industry and bought a Toyota and Lexus dealership from a single owner who wanted to sell at that time. Mashburn now owns a number of car dealerships in the Kentucky area.

In addition, Mashburn has ownership in over 70 restaurants. Some of these restaurants include more than 30 Outback Steakhouse franchises, over 25 Papa John’s Pizza franchises, and two Dunkin Donuts franchises.

Since Mashburn officially retired from the NBA in 2006, he has also worked as an analyst on ESPN.

Lorenzo Alexander’s A.C.E.S Foundation

Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is giving back in a major way with his A.C.E.S. Foundation whose mission is to support the youth by encouraging self-Accountability, pride in the Community, and Educational excellence while promoting a healthy mind and body through Sports.  Alexander started the foundation a few years ago in Oakland, California.

One of the programs A.C.E.S. offers include two-hour workshops to help students get through high school in addition to preparing for higher education. The workshops will assist students with college entry requirements, SAT preparation, test-taking strategies, scholarships/financial aid, and so forth.

In addition, there are Life Skill Accountability workshops that will provide students with the resources to live healthy lifestyles and make good life decisions. Some of the workshop highlights include health and nutrition, peer pressure, money management, and sports psychology.

Along with hosting its Third Annual Celebrity Bowling Benefit on March 26 in Albany, California, the foundation will also host the “Hold the Line” Youth Camp later this summer. This youth camp will be free to 150 kids, ranging in age from eight to 17.

For more information on the A.C.E.S Foundation, please visit http://acesfoundationabout.blogspot.com/.

Muhammad Ali Visits White Sox Spring Training

Muhammad Ali made a personal visit this week to the White Sox ball club during their spring training in Arizona to encourage the team to give back to the community. The legend started the Athletes for Hope organization in 2007 with other philanthropic athletes Andre Agassi, Alonzo Mourning, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn and a few others. The organization aims to educate, encourage and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes as well as inspire others to do the same.

His wife, Lonnie, and Athletes for Hope CEO, Ivan G. Blumberg, who did a presentation about the organization, joined Ali.

It had to be a great honor to be in the presence of “The Champ.” Check out the video with Ali and the star-struck team! http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=13163373