As we went down to Los Angeles to play our weekend set of games against UCLA and USC, we were actually favored to come back with a couple of victories. Coach Raveling did his best to prepare us to return with victory in hand. I was at the top of my game and was a vital part of our team’s success with my rebounding, shot-blocking, and defending.
We got down to Los Angeles and opened up our weekend series against USC. I guess the bottom fell out from there. Coach Pugliese, still staring into my eyes, told me I had played that way because I’d become “satisfied.” He told me flat out, “James, you became satisfied. You became satisfied with where you are at this stage in your development as a student athlete. What you don’t realize is that you have a long way to go if you’re going to be successful at this game and in life. You became satisfied!” He held out his hands, and in a very stereotypical Italian fashion, gestured wildly, demonstrating where I was (holding one hand about waist-high) and where I needed to be (holding his other hand over his head). To this day, I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I’ve carried it throughout my life into every endeavor I approach. In the back of my head and in all my endeavors, Coach Pugliese’s words constantly resonate, “Never be satisfied!”
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
