I remember this photo and team very fondly from back in 1983. I just had breakfast with Coach Lenny Wilkins this week and he’s doing great. I visited with John “JJ” Johnson last week in California. I see Fred “Downtown” Brown a couple of times a year around town.
Where are they now? Zollie Volchak, General Manager, just passed away a couple of months ago. Gus Williams lives in New York; Lonnie Shelton in California; Mark Radford in Oregon; Greg Kelser in Michigan; Steve Hawes, John Grieg, Frank Furtado, Les Habagger, in Seattle, Jack Sikma has been coaching in the NBA, not sure where David Thompson is and I think Danny Vranes is back in Utah, Phil Smith passed away several years ago and ballboy Scott Alsted is in California I believe.
I stay in touch with most of the guys and it’s good to see how we’re making our way in “Life After The Game”.
Care to share some of your Sonic memories from the 1983 team?
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
