WNBA introduces Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award
Official Release | April 17, 2020
NEW YORK – The WNBA today introduced the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, which will recognize an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception and advancement of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels.
The new annual award will honor the late Kobe Bryant, a staunch supporter of the WNBA and women’s basketball, and his daughter Gianna (also known as Gigi), who loved the game of basketball and aspired to reach the pinnacle of the sport like her father.
“Kobe was an incredible champion of women’s basketball and Gianna shared his passion and dedication to our game,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will honor their legacy and reflect Kobe’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of players, promoting the game and giving back to the community.”
The recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will be a tireless advocate for women’s basketball and foster the highest levels of leadership. The award will honor advocates and influencers who use their time, talent and platform to raise awareness for the game.
The WNBA and the Bryant family will announce the inaugural recipient during NBA All-Star 2021 in Indianapolis. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, will play a large role in determining the honoree and present the award each year at NBA All-Star.
The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will include a charitable component that highlights Kobe’s legacy as a coach and mentor and Gigi’s inspirational, relentless commitment to playing at the highest levels of the game. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Apr 4, 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Today on ESPN, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the nine honorees in the Class of 2020 presented by Fifty-Five South Ventures. The Class of 2020 will be enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
As previously announced, in light of the unique circumstance surrounding the Class of 2020, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Election Process Committee suspended the Direct Election Categories for one year with the exception of the International Committee. This year’s distinguished class includes honorees from the North American committee, Women’s Committee and International Committee. To be elected, North American and Women’s Committee finalists must receive 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Three once-in-a-lifetime stars head Hall of Fame Class of 2020
The Class of 2020 includes: 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, 15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Kevin Garnett, four-time National Coach of the Year Eddie Sutton, two-time NBA Champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, three-time NCAA National Championship Coach of Baylor Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II National Coach of the Year Barbara Stevens and longtime FIBA executive Patrick Baumann.
“The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honorees is beyond measure,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19. We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today. Today we thank the Class of 2020 for all they have done for the game of basketball and we look forward to celebrating them at Enshrinement in August.”
The Class of 2020 Enshrinement festivities will begin at Mohegan Sun on Friday, August 28th with the newly formatted Enshrinement Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala. The Class of 2020 and over 50 returning Hall of Famers will then journey to Springfield, Mass. for the annual celebratory events taking place at the newly renovated Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Springfield Symphony Hall on the 29th. The second day of events in Springfield will include a special community-focused Celebration Day on the 30th.
Ticket packages to the 2020 Enshrinement Ceremony and all Enshrinement events are on sale now and available online at www.hoophall.com or by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame at (413) 231-5513. Premium Sponsors of Enshrinement 2020 include Fifty-Five South Ventures, Nike, Baron Championship Rings, Mohegan Sun and Panini.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020
North American Committee:
KOBE BRYANT [Player] -- Recognized posthumously, Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-16) and 11-time All-NBA First Team selection (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006-13). As an All-Star, he earned the Game’s MVP trophy four times (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011). He was also a five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010), the 2008 NBA MVP and Finals MVP twice (2009, 2010). He famously scored the second-most points in a single game in NBA history (81), led the NBA in total points for four seasons (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008) and ranks fourth on the NBA’s career points list (33,643). Often celebrated for his offensive prowess, Bryant was also a nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006-11). With USA Basketball, Bryant earned an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and 2012.
TIM DUNCAN [Player] -- Duncan is a 15-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-11, 2013, 2015) and an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999-2003, 2005, 2007, 2008). He is also a five-time NBA Champion with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), having earned Finals MVP three times (1999, 2003, 2005). In 2002 and 2003, he was named NBA MVP and in 1998 he won Rookie of the Year. Duncan is the only player in NBA history with 1,000 or more wins with one team, which he amassed in his 19 years with the Spurs. He is ranked in the top 10 for NBA all-time rebounds and blocks leaders. As a college athlete at Wake Forest, Duncan earned ACC Player of the Year and was a unanimous First Team All-American in 1996 and 1997. In 1997, he also collected the Wooden, Naismith, Rupp, and Oscar Robertson Awards, while being named AP College Player of the Year.
KEVIN GARNETT [Player] -- Garnett is a 15-time NBA All-Star (1997-1998, 2000-11, 2013) and 2008 NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics widely regarded for his passion and intensity on the court. A nine-time NBA All- Defensive First Team selection (2000-05, 2008-09, 2011), he led the league in rebounds for four consecutive seasons (2004-2007) and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. While playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004, Garnett led the league in total points, field goals made and total rebounds while earning NBA MVP. He is ranked ninth in NBA’s all-time leaders for rebounds. With USA Basketball, Garnett earned an Olympic gold medal in 2000. Garnett played 21 NBA seasons and is currently ranked fourth in all-time minutes played (50,418).
EDDIE SUTTON [Coach] -- Sutton is a four-time National Coach of the Year (1977, 1978, 1986, 1995), eight-time Conference Coach of the Year (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1993, 1998, 2004) and the first coach in NCAA history to lead four different schools in the NCAA Tournament. Sutton ranks in the top ten among Division I coaches in all-time victories and has recorded only one losing season in 37 years of coaching. He coached Oklahoma State University from 1991-2006 and tied the conference record for wins by a first-year coach with 24. Collectively, Sutton guided his teams to three Final Fours, six Elite Eights and 12 Sweet Sixteen appearances.
RUDY TOMJANOVICH [Coach] -- Tomjanovich spent 34 consecutive seasons with the Houston Rockets organization as a player (1970-1982), assistant coach (1983-1992) and head coach (1992-2003). He was named The Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year in 1993. He is the only person in NBA history to score 10,000 career points as a player and win 500 career games with two championships as a coach. Tomjanovich led the Rockets to NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995 and is one of three coaches to win an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. He led USA Basketball to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Women’s Committee:
TAMIKA CATCHINGS [Player] -- Catchings is a 10-time WNBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013-2015) and four-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016). After winning WNBA MVP in 2011, she led the Indiana Fever to a WNBA Championship in 2012 while collecting WNBA Finals MVP honors. She played her entire 14-year WNBA career with the Fever, while being named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year five times (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012) and Rookie of the Year in 2002. As the WNBA all-time steals leader, Catchings was named a member of the WNBA Top 20 Players in the league’s 20-year history in 2016. With Pat Summitt’s Lady Vols, Catchings won a national championship in 1998 and was named a four-time Kodak First Team All- American (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), as well as the consensus National Player of the Year in 2000.
Women’s Committee (continued):
KIM MULKEY [Coach] -- Mulkey has led the Baylor Bears to three NCAA National Championships (2005, 2012, 2019) and ranks third all-time among head coaches in win percentage. In 2012, Mulkey was named the Consensus National College Coach of the Year earning the Naismith Coach of the Year, Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year, WBCA National Coach of the Year and USBWA National Coach of the Year. As the head coach of Baylor since 2000, she has guided her team to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances including 13 Sweet Sixteens, eight Elite Eights and four Final Four appearances. Her Baylor squad has also won 10 Big 12 regular season championships (2005, 2011-2019) and 10 Big 12 Tournament championships (2005, 2009, 2011-2016, 2018), earning her Big 12 Coach of the Year honors seven times (2005, 2011- 2013, 2015, 2018-2019). Mulkey is the first person, male or female, to win a national championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
BARBARA STEVENS [Coach] -- Coaching in the collegiate ranks for over 40 years, Stevens is the fifth coach in NCAA women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career wins. She has been named the Russell Athletic / WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year five times (1992, 1999, 2001, 2013, 2014) and Northeast-10 Coach of the Year 15 times (1988, 1989, 1991-1993, 1996-2001, 2003, 2011, 2014, 2018). As the head coach of Bentley University since 1986, she has guided her team to 22 25-win seasons and 10 trips to the Division II Fab Four, including a national championship in 2014. Stevens has been inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (2002) and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2006).
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Direct Elect Members:
International Committee:
PATRICK BAUMANN [Contributor] -- Recognized posthumously, Patrick Baumann greatly contributed to the game as a longtime FIBA executive and a member of the International Olympic Committee for more than 10 years. He initially joined FIBA in 1994, rising through the ranks and earning the title of Secretary General in 2002, a title he held until his untimely passing in 2018. He primarily focused on the youth sector and the expansion of 3x3 basketball as a global game, while developing programs and events to grow basketball worldwide. A native of Switzerland, Baumann held a number of positions on several esteemed sports councils and advisory boards and was a basketball player, coach and referee prior to joining FIBA.
Official Release | April 3, 2020
NEW YORK – WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert released the following statement:
“As developments continue to emerge around the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extension of the social distancing guidelines in the United States through April 30, the WNBA will postpone the start of its training camps and tip of the regular season originally scheduled for May 15. While the league continues to use this time to conduct scenario-planning regarding new start dates and innovative formats, our guiding principle will continue to be the health and safety of the players, fans and employees.
In the meantime, the league and our teams remain focused on preparing for the upcoming virtual WNBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm on April 17. Top prospects will take part remotely live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. This virtual draft allows players who have worked so hard to have their dreams realized when they hear their names called and provides teams the opportunity to build their rosters in anticipation of the day that we are able to move forward with our season.
We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to our players, fans, and all of those in the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are grateful to those selfless health care workers and first responders who work tirelessly on the front lines.”
The NBRPA Names Thurl Bailey, Dave Cowens, Shawn Marion and Sheryl Swoopes to Board of Directors Johnny Davis, Jerome Williams and Grant Hill elevated to executive committee
CHICAGO, ILL. – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) announced today the addition of Thurl Bailey (Director), Dave Cowens (Director), Shawn Marion (Director) and Sheryl Swoopes (Director) to its Board of Directors. Johnny Davis (Chairman), Jerome Williams (Vice President) and Grant Hill (Secretary) are elevated to the executive committee. They join remaining Board of Directors, Sam Perkins (Treasurer), Caron Butler (Director) and Dave Naves (Director). Outgoing directors include Spencer Haywood, Dwight Davis, Nancy Lieberman and Eldridge Recasner who all cycled off after completing two three-year terms. The new board class will begin serving a three-year term, effective immediately.
“This new board class is the perfect pairing of new energy and historical perspective,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “Adding to our group’s diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints will undoubtedly strengthen our leadership and maintain our professional standards. The outgoing directors have set the benchmark for leadership over the past six years and we cannot thank them enough for elevating us to new heights.”
New directors, Bailey, Cowens, Marion and Swoopes are responsible for executing the NBRPA mission to serve former professional basketball players, supporting them in life after their playing days, and helping them to leverage their inspirational influence to promote and teach basketball in their communities.
Thurl Bailey, a key figure in North Carolina State’s improbable run to the 1983 NCAA National Championship, enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA with the Utah Jazz (1983-91, 1998-99) and Minnesota Timberwolves (1991-94). Since retiring, Bailey has become a broadcast analyst for the Utah Jazz and the University of Utah, a public speaker, actor and musical artist.
Dave Cowens, a Hall-of-Famer and two-time NBA Champion, spent 10 seasons with the Boston Celtics (1970-80) and one season with the Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83). After retiring from his playing career, Cowens began his NBA coaching career including stints with the Boston Celtics (1978-79), San Antonio Spurs (1994-96), Charlotte Hornets (1996-99), Golden State Warriors (2000-01) and Detroit Pistons (2006-09). Known as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time, Cowens was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1992, Cowens founded the NBRPA along with NBA Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark and Oscar Robertson.
Shawn Marion, a NBA Champion and four-time NBA All-Star, enjoyed a career spanning 16 seasons, including stints with the Phoenix Suns (1999-08), Miami Heat (2008-09), Toronto Raptors (2009), Dallas Mavericks (2009-14) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-15). Since retiring from the league, Marion has become an NBA Global Ambassador and Dallas Mavericks Emeritus. Additionally, Marion is a majority shareholder in the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League (NBL).
Sheryl Swoopes, a Hall-of-Famer, four-time WNBA champion, six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, enjoyed a career spanning 12 seasons. Swoopes played 10 of 12 seasons with the Houston Comets (1997-07), one season with both the Seattle Storm (2008) and Tulsa Shock (2011). Known as a trailblazer in the WNBA after becoming the first player to sign with the league, she was often referred to as the “female Michael Jordan”. The three-time WNBA MVP was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Swoopes is currently an assistant coach at her alma mater, Texas Tech.
Hall 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.”
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 Aponte
Landys Hughes
Alexa Lister
Cristina Santiago-Espinet
Ava Birdin
J'Den Humphries
Alton Lister
Syarra Sellers
Mylaisia Birdsong
Caleb Hutchinson
Hailey Mack
Shayla Sellers
Earl A. Boykins Jr.
Mariah Hutchinson
Michael McClanahan
Colton Shreve
Mehsai Bradley
Benjamin Inniger
Timothy McCormick
Kendall Smith
Jaila Brooks
Michael Inniger
Alicia McDaniel
Jaden Smith
Isabelle Brown
Trey Johnson
Grace Meschery-McCormack
Karch Smith
Samantha Budd
Temeka Johnson
Amara Money-Williams
Sevena Smith
Antoine Carr
Shoneia Jones
Tianna Nesby
Luke Smrek
Alona Clark
Alanna Jones
Elijah O'Bryant
Eric Snow
Stephanie Colter
Kelli Jones
Emery O'Bryant
Jazmine Thomas
Sari Cureton
Logan Jones
Skyla Owens
Trevor Toolson
Jaelyn DeJesus
Reilly Jones
Liana Pachot
Chloe Tower
Jason Eakins
Samuel Jones
Jean Pack
Carly Tower
Kolbi-Rae Edney
Kaley Jones
Will Parrish
Keith Tower
Lindsey Finkel
Walter Jones III
Avery Powell
Reagan Tripucka
Hayden Gambee
Caitlin Keefe
Melanie Range
Tristan Von Nieda
Reilly Gambee
Alyssa Keeling
Camille Range
Evan Wilkins
Tai Gilbert
Anthony Keeling
Erin Recasner
Jazzmyne Williams
Aryana Harvey
Mason Kite
Samuel Roberts
Avery Wooten
Jayda Howard
Thomsen Kite
Mayneatha Royal
Jordan Wooten
Stephen Howard
Talmage Kite
Kyndall 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.
Seeking basketball instruction? Business success stories? Words of inspiration? Book a basketball Legend to take your corporate, public or private event to another level!
CHICAGO (Feb. 21, 2019) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) has named 14-year NBA veteran, Caron Butler to its Board of Directors. Butler will serve a three-year term, effective immediately.
Butler, an NBA Champion (2011) and two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008), recorded a career spanning 14 seasons, including stints with the Miami Heat (2002-04), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-05), Washington Wizards (2005-10), Dallas Mavericks (2010-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-13), Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14), Oklahoma City Thunder (2014), Detroit Pistons (2014-15) and Sacramento Kings (2015-16). Since retiring from the league, Butler has made regular appearances on NBA-TV, ESPN and Fox Sports. In addition to television broadcasting, he has continued to grow his personal brand, Tuff Juice, through a series of podcast and content offerings.
“Caron is the epitome of a retired professional athlete,” said NBRPA President and CEO Scott Rochelle. “He has an incredible understanding of what it took to be a professional athlete and more importantly, what it takes to succeed in life after the game.”
Butler joins the existing NBRPA Board, which includes Chairman of the Board Spencer Haywood, Vice Chairman Dwight Davis, Treasurer Sam Perkins, Secretary Nancy Lieberman, and the following Directors, Grant Hill, Johnny Davis, David Naves, Eldridge Recasner, Jerome Williams.
“The opportunity to work alongside Spencer Haywood and so many others that I looked up to throughout my basketball career is incredibly exciting for me,” said Butler. “I’ve watched this organization grow immensely over the last few years, and I look forward to utilizing my own skillset to continue moving the organization forward in helping players transition to life after the game.”
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.
