Playing in the NBA has many perks, and the big paycheck is one of them. This gives them the impetus to give back to the community however they can.
Here’s the list of some of the most generous NBA players that we know.
1) LeBron James
James started the LeBron James Family Foundation with the mission to minimize the high dropout rates among at-risk youth in Akron, Ohio, James’ hometown.
His foundation also launched a public school program called I Promise School wherein graduating students with a GPA of 3.0 are given scholarships. They would not pay any tuition fee when they choose to enrol at Akron University.
Remember the controversial program where James had to choose which team to play with? It was a fundraising event that was able to raise up to $6 million. He donated the entire sum to his chosen charities.
2) Kevin Durant
With the help of Durant who pledged $10 million, the College Track chapter was introduced to Prince George County in Maryland. This is where Durant grew up.
A first across the Washington metropolitan area, the program gave students (ninth-graders to college) access to financial aid as well as tutoring services and test preparation courses. It also guides graduate students to transition from college to employment.
3) Stephen Curry
Curry commits himself to alleviate malaria cases worldwide, partnering with the United Nations and USAID.
In 2012, he donated three sleeping nets per three-point shot he made. In 2016, he also promoted the #CallYourShot donation drive to raise enough money to help protect communities plagued with malaria. Since 2018, he also donated one malaria bed for each pair of Nothing But Sneakers signature sneakers which have already sold 10,000 pairs.
Curry also provides scholarships to children of active-duty military members through ThanksUSA golf tournaments. It had already raised $150,000 since it began in 2011. He also partnered with Chase Bank and Under Armour to renovate his hometown’s Charlotte’s Carole Hoefener Center.
4) Isaiah Thomas
Thomas has been helping the communities within which he was playing since 2011, having played for four NBA teams.
He was a staunch supporter of Boys and Girls Clubs events. He had raised thousands of dollars to give to the fire victims in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He provided financial help to the construction of a basketball centre in his hometown Tacoma. He also holds backpack giveaways to underprivileged children who still choose to stay in school.
5) John Wall
Wall has been working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Washington, DC since 2014 when his 6-year-old friend Miyah Telemaque-Nelson died of Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He named a walking team Miyah’s Troupe.
This is just one his health activisms, though, that he was putting forward through his own foundation, John Wall Family Foundation.
Wall has a Passport to Manhood Program that aims to engage young boys in the community.
6) Tobias Harris
Harris is one of the most philanthropic NBA players, donating $1 million to nine charities in Philadelphia at the start of this season alone.
He was very specific with his chosen charities, however, wherein they should be into providing quality education to children especially in reading.
Do you know any other NBA players who are bigger than the games? Please share the names with us.
