- by Shawn Goggins
ELLENSBURG – Retired NBA All-Star James Donaldson is one of Ellensburg’s newest residents and the community is already welcoming him with open arms.
After retiring from basketball in 1999, the 15-year NBA veteran has transitioned from the hardcourt to mental health advocacy.
On Monday, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of Donaldson to the county’s board of health.
Donaldson holds a sociology degree from Washington State University and is the founder and director of Your Gift of Life Foundation. Your Gift of Life Foundation is a non-profit that focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The foundation was formed in light of the former WSU quarterback Tyler Hilinski’s suicide in 2018.
64-year-old Donaldson reportedly has overcome his personal struggles with mental health and is fervent about helping others do the same.
Donaldson was the longtime owner of the Donaldson Clinic, a physical rehab center in Mill Creek, Washington.
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
