Obama panel celebrates off-court work of NBA stars
Giannis Antetoko-unmpo is passionate about helping children in Greece and Africa. Kevin Love is wanting to shine the brightest light he can on mental health by sharing his own struggles.
Chris Paul is aiming to ensure that technology involves schools where it hasn't been affordable. Former President Barack Obama knows those endeavors. And he's trying to ensure plenty of other persons find out aswell.
That is why Obama invited that trio of NBA stars to sit alongside him for a panel discussion hosted by his foundation on Saturday, saying he invited that trio of basketball stars to laud what he called their "extraordinary leadership" with regards to their off-court work. "It's so much bigger than basketball," Love said.
Obama clearly agrees. The foundation that was made in 2014 has championed causes just like the ones that are near and dear to Antetokounmpo, Paul and Love, which is why the 44th President made a decision to invite them to sit for what was called a "fireside chat."
A lot of the conversation had nothing to do with basketball, which is exactly the way it had been planned."The main reason I wanted to convene these three, not only is it amazing athletes, they're good people and all of them are in different stages within their careers," Obama said. "
You have old Chris Paul down towards the end, the young guy (Antetokounmpo) here and Kevin somewhere in the middle. But all of them has displayed character on the court but also off the court. And the task I'm doing following the presidency is totally focused how do we lift up and identify and amplify and support the amazing next generation of leaders that are approaching."
Obama is a longtime and passionate basketball fan this event, in his hometown of Chicago, was his second official event during NBA All-Star weekend in the Windy City after one with children and first- and second-year players Friday and he has aligned with NBA players often before to highlight certain messages.
In February 2019, Obama sat with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry to mark the fifth anniversary of My Brother's Keeper an initiative he launched following the 2012 shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin. The death of Martin, a 17-year-old African-American, sparked protests over racial profiling.
This time, it was for other issues, all important aswell. Love told the story of why he made a decision to take his long have a problem with mental health insurance and battle against depression public. Paul discussed why it was very important to him to make certain schools in poorer neighborhoods aren't left out.
Antetokounmpo told the story of how neighbors in a predominantly white neighborhood helped ensure that his parents, who moved to Greece from Nigeria searching for an improved life, thrived. "All I understand is, people gave to me," Antetokounmpo said. "I've surely got to give back."
