Former NBA All Star, Humanitarian, entrepreneur and author, James Donaldson made a recent visit to several schools in the earthquake stricken areas in the Sichuan province of China. Donaldson, who spends a great deal of time in China working with The China Service Centre for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries Studying Abroad Department, informing and encouraging students about study abroad programs, visited 3 schools in the city of Mianyang last week. “The students and people of Mianyang are doing well, but they have many friends and relatives in the nearby cities and villages they are very concerned about because of the earthquake” said Donaldson as he visited classrooms, watched playground basketball and lifted dozens of primary students high in the air to squeals of delight and tears of joy. 
“I just love these kids, and bringing a smile to their faces. Many of them had stories of being worried about their friends and families, and this earthquake brought back memories of the much larger quake, in the same region, of just a few years ago… so there is much anxiety as you can imagine” Donaldson added. “We’ll be conducting basketball camps featuring the former NBA players and members of the Professional Basketball Alumni Association (PBAA) this summer in the area, because I want to contribute something back to the area and create happy memories for the young people” Donaldson says.
“They are just so crazy about anything professional basketball here in China, so let’s bring joy and happiness through basketball, and have some of the former NBA guys come to China while we’re at it… it’ll be a great Win – Win for all!” says Donaldson, who is an active member with the Professional Basketball Alumni Association and continues to be very involved with mentoring, educational and sports development programs both here in China and in the US. ~ End ~
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
