NBRPA & WBCA Team Up to Bring Second Annual Women’s Health Screening Program to WBCA Convention at NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland

Acclaimed Health Screening Will Be Available to All WNBA Legends and WBCA Coaches

CHICAGO, Illinois, (March 18, 2024) - The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced that it will conduct its acclaimed Health Screening Program during the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Convention which will be held in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio.  The program will be available to all registered WNBA Legends and coaches attending the WBCA Convention.   

The critically acclaimed program, under the supervision of the NBRPA Chief Medical Director Joe Rogowski, will focus on women’s health, delivered thorough, cost-effective, healthcare to its membership and addressing many of the medical issues experienced by the NBRPA population, while also educating them on proactive measures that promote a healthy lifestyle.

“Following the success of our inaugural women’s health screening program in Dallas last year, we are thrilled at the opportunity to bring the program to Cleveland and to be able to continue increasing our focus on health issues affecting women,” said Scott Rochelle, President & CEO, NBRPA.  “We thank the WBCA for partnering with us to help bring this invaluable service to Cleveland and for helping extend these comprehensive examinations to the coaches that make up the WBCA membership along with our WNBA Legends.”

“I’m excited to be part of the continuation and enhancement of the health screening program to ensure women are receiving the proper care, especially for those members that may not have insurance or access,” said Rushia Brown, WNBA Legend and NBRPA Board Director.  “Programs like this are crucial to our members’ well-being and I fully encourage all members attending the NCAA Women’s Final Four to take advantage of this opportunity.” 

“So much emphasis is placed on the health of student-athletes, and rightfully so, but the health of coaches is equally important and vital to the continued success of our game,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “Coaches are the constant. They lead selflessly. We want to make sure they also make their own health a priority. So, we are excited to partner with the NBRPA in offering health screenings to all coaches attending this year’s WBCA Convention in Cleveland.”

Launched in conjunction with the NBPA in 2016, to deliver valuable, preventive long-term healthcare check-ups to former professional players across the U.S., the Health Screening Program has impacted hundreds of former players by providing preventative testing, including blood work, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, cardiology consultations and brain scans.

The NBRPA announced in 2022 that they would begin overseeing the program and brought along Joe Rogowski to head the operation. Rogowski, who served as the NBPA’s Chief Medical Officer for the past decade, was named the NBRPA’s Chief Medical Director in November 2022.

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, and WNBA. 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. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Charles “Choo” Smith, Vice Chairman Shawn Marion, Treasurer Nancy Lieberman, Secretary C.J. Kupec, Spencer Haywood, Eddie Gill, Rushia Brown, Bob Elliott, Mike Bantom, Caron Butler, Clarence “Chucky” Brown and Dave Bing. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com

About the WBCA

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.

To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch

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Media Contacts:

Julio Manteiga, NBRPA, (516) 749-9894, jmanteiga@legendsofbasketball.com

NBRPA’s Nancy Lieberman, Janice Braxton, Cheryl Miller, & Cynthia Cooper to Join Current WNBA Stars Satou Sabally & Kelsey Plum as Coaches

Game Will Be Played at NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend on Saturday, April 6 and televised on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

CHICAGO, Illinois (March 14, 2024) – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and Intersport today announced that WNBA and Women's Basketball Legends Nancy Lieberman, Janice Braxton, Cheryl Miller, Cynthia Cooper will join current WNBA stars Satou Sabally and Kelsey Plum as coaches for the 2024 Women’s College All-Star Game on April 6th, at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. The game, the first event of its kind since 2006, will be televised by ESPN2 at 3:30 pm ET. 

Twenty-five years after launching a national women’s college basketball all-star event, Intersport has re-introduced the Women’s College All-Star Game as an annual showcase spotlighting the country’s elite players. These standouts, who will be exhausting their collegiate eligibility and are on the precipice of hearing their names called in the WNBA Draft, will have one final opportunity to represent their programs and be recognized against the backdrop of the sport’s championship weekend. Intersport launched the inaugural Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Challenge in 1998, which the WBCA operated through 2006. 

“The NBRPA is thrilled to once again partner with Intersport and to be able to have our WNBA Legends as part of this incredible event,” said Scott Rochelle, President & CEO, NBRPA. “Having icons like Cheryl, Janice, Cynthia and a member of our very own board of directors in Nancy, join up with two of today’s brightest stars in Satou and Kelsey to coach these phenomenal players, gives us an immense sense of pride to be able to help showcase the past, present and future of the game of basketball.”

“I’m honored to join these incredible and legendary women to coach these phenomenal talents,” said Nancy Lieberman, Two-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 1996/2023), WNBA Legend and NBRPA Board Director, Treasurer.  “I very much look forward to what promises to be an amazing atmosphere and game and seeing the greatness on the court.”

Tickets for the 2024 Women’s College All Star Game can be purchased at https://womenscollegeallstar.com/

 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, and WNBA. 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. Legends Care is the charitable initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts youth and communities through basketball. Scott Rochelle is President and CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Charles “Choo” Smith, Vice Chairman Shawn Marion, Treasurer Nancy Lieberman, Secretary C.J. Kupec, Spencer Haywood, Eddie Gill, Rushia Brown, Bob Elliott, Mike Bantom, Caron Butler, Clarence “Chucky” Brown and Dave Bing. Learn more at legendsofbasketball.com

To follow along with the NBRPA, find them on social media at @NBAalumni on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch

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Contacts:

Julio Manteiga, NBRPA, jmanteiga@legendsofbasketball.com

There were many new and familiar faces around Charlotte during the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend. More than 150 former NBA and WNBA Legends met for the NBRPA’s yearly event, which celebrates the growth of the league and its players. 

The NBRPA kicked-off the weekend on Thursday evening with a champagne reception at the host hotel. Upon arrival, the members mixed and mingled with each other and the NBRPA Board of Directors joined the reception following their meeting with NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.

On Friday morning, the Legends Lounge opened to the masses and the buzz and excitement around Charlotte was evident. The NBRPA’s key partners were on full display, including Spalding, Tissot, Budweiser, Pepsi, Cheurlin Champagne, Wintrust, NuEnerchi and many others. The lounge also featured a live DJ and basketball court, which became the central hub for members and their families throughout the weekend.

The NBRPA team planned and executed its first annual Legends Media Day at NBA All-Star Weekend, which took place on Friday. The team hosted 10 national media outlets and coordinated more than 50 interviews for 25-plus former players. Following media day, the NBRPA held a Welcome Party at the Ivey's, which included a toast from Isiah Thomas and Spencer Haywood.

On Saturday morning, David Thompson and Paul Westphal were honored at the Legends Breakfast with Athletes In Action. Both legends were called upon for their exceptional integrity, service, professionalism and character both on and off the court.

Following the Legends Breakfast, the NBRPA hosted a full-court press: prep for success clinic for 30 youngsters, in conjunction with Jr. NBA. In addition, the NBRPA Chapters held several community events throughout the weekend, including the Shooting For Peace program which provides encouragement and guidance for students of lower socioeconomic status. The chapter presidents also visited five local high schools in Charlotte, speaking to over 1,000 students about the importance of education and life experiences.

The festivities carried over into Saturday night, where approximately 200 legends and guests came to "hit the links" at Topgolf Charlotte. The night was filled with great energy and excitement while the Slam Dunk, Three-Point and Skills competition were played at the Spectrum Center. From basketballs to birdies, this event was a highlight of the weekend.

Rounding out the weekend was the Legends Brunch on Sunday morning. Muggsy Bogues, Glen Rice, Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry were all honored at the Brunch, which took place at the Charlotte Convention Center and aired later that afternoon on NBA-TV. Hornets Chairman and Charlotte native Michael Jordan made a special appearance at the event and gave special recognition to the 150-plus Legends in the room and the legacy and impact they continue to have on the game.