Former NBA Champion Wali Jones sets off on a goodwill assignment to the Caribbean Island
Former point guard of the Philadelphia 76ers, Walter Jones, who known by the name of “Wali”, may be done with his pro career, but is not yet done bringing joy to the people.
For this reason, Wali recently accompanied Wesley Frater, the Director of Tournament of Champions, Inc. along with quite a few basketball coaches from South Florida high school on a goodwill assignment to the Caribbean island, Jamaica.
Jamaica is not a new place for both Jones and Frater, as they had visited the place on several occasions since 1988. It was the year when Jones and Frater, a Jamaican exiled, first joined hands and started making efforts to give a lift to the poor youth of the island.
Jones said, “I always get excited for this trip. Over the years we have gone down with Udonis Haslem and Tim Hardaway and other great people. We visit schools and orphanages and distribute clothes, shoes and computers. Wes gives back to his country. I’m proud to be part of it.”
During the tour the travelling party will look to visit no less than six schools. The group will then hand out different donated products like basketballs, hair care, shoes together with the school supplies and other necessary items. These products are donated by Tracy Mourning, the wife of Ex-Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning.
Frater, who remains on a continual collection drive, told that most of the sporting goods and running shoes were contributed by the coaches of South Florida high school and Miami Norland girls basketball coach Carla Harris-Curry, who is a member of their group.
The 1967 NBA champion and his fellow had visited several places so far under this program and are still determined to continue serving such underprivileged kids around the globe. The motivation behind this is to bring the youth out of the darkness and give them hope to follow their dreams, just as Wali himself did.
To grasp these kids attention Wali usually holds up his championship ring that he won in 1966-67 season with the Sixers. At that point in time Philadelphia’s roster featured some of the greats like, Hal Greer, Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham and Chet Walker.
This trick always works for Jones and he enjoys seeing kids widening their eyes and ears to hear the story behind the ring. Wali then tell them the story of his playing days in NBA.
Jones said, “I tell the kids that although I played on a Sixers team that is in the Hall of Fame, I got into Villanova because I was a good student-athlete, first. One of the biggest things for kids to have is self confidence. I try to show them how to set goals and how to manage their times to reach those goals.”
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