| Playing for a greater cause
Two NBA championships in three years have established the Warriors as unquestioned leaders on the court, but many of the team’s players have parlayed their success to help a wide range of charities off the court as well.
Two-time MVP Stephen Curry is currently revamping the direction of his philanthropy, but he’s best known for his work with the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing but Nets campaign, an effort to help eradicate malaria in Africa. His contribution revolves around what he does best: making threepointers. Since his college days at Davidson, Curry has donated three bed nets for every three he’s made.
According to looktothestars.org, Curry has also done work with NBA Cares and with the Animal Rescue Foundation, the group founded in 1991 by former A’s manager Tony La Russa.
NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant’s charity foundation uses educational, athletic and social programs to help at-risk youths from lowincome families. He also works with Aid Still Required, a group dedicated to continuing to offer assistance to people in areas hit by natural disasters long after the TV cameras leave and the spotlight fades. In 2013, Durant — then a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder — made a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross after an Oklahoma tornado killed 24 people.
JaVale McGee’s public outreach is centered on the Juglife Founda-
tion, whose mission is to get children to opt for water instead of soft drinks. The foundation’s work also reached Uganda, where a well was built to provide clean water to a school of more than 500 children.
Andre Iguodala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, has used his status to create the Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation, a group based in Philadelphia (where he played his first eight NBA seasons) and dedicated to blending the athletic success of youth with educational opportunities.
Three-time All-Star Klay Thompson, who has worked with the KIPP Bridge Academy in West Oakland for several years, made a $25,000 donation through the Warriors’ Community Foundation in August that allowed the school to refurbish its basketball court.