Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Inspired by military families
Heat’s McGruder takes part in camp for children who have lost parents
MIAMI — The 2017-18 NBA season largely was an empty experience for Miami Heat forward Rodney McGruder, thanks to a long injury absence. But his Memorial Day weekend was one filled with meaning.
Returning home, the Maryland native was among several NBA players and coaches who participated in the Good Grief Camp in Washington, an event for children who lost loved ones who served in the military.
“It was tough, it really was tough, it really was, just seeing what the kids are going through,” McGruder, 26, said of the days that were both heartening and heart“It breaking. “It was just the questions they asked me about basketball, but it really doesn’t relate. Because what’ve they’ve gone through is something more than I’ve yet to experience in my life.
was tough to hear some of these questions and ask how I feel about certain things and how I’ve tried to overcome certain things.
So I tried to be enlightening to the kids, but it’s tough because of what they’re going through. Their strength, as young kids, to keep pushing on in life, it was inspiring to hear.”
In addition to helping lead a Jr. NBA clinic alongside New York Knicks guard Jarrett Jack, McGruder worked at the event with Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jamahl Mosley, Sacramento Kings assistant coach Bryan Gates, Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is an adviser to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The event was organized by TAPS.org — or Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
“I didn’t feel like I was a hero,” McGruder said of being cast as a featured participant. “The kids were heroes and the war veterans that I was honored to meet. Just to be at an event like that, it was breathtaking and I was so impressed to be invited.”
Among those McGruder brought along was his mother, Rudine. He said it made the interaction all the more meaningful.
“A young lady asked have I dealt with loss,” he said. “I knew she would ask the question, because those kids dealt with losses in their lives. My mom was able to attend the event with me, and I wanted to bring her, because growing up at a young age she lost her mother. So having to talk about that, it just brought back memories, not only for the kids, but for my mom, as well.”
During the event, those in the camp toured the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall.
Having been raised so close to such sites, McGruder said being afforded a VIP tour was eye-opening.
“It’s a brand new experience, to go into the Pentagon,” he said. “Growing up, I drove past the Pentagon so many times as a youth, and now I’m finally in the Pentagon and just to be a part of such a tremendous event that impacted by life.”
After a breakout rookie season when he started 65 games in 2016-17, McGruder missed the first 60 games this past season after suffering a preseason leg injury, never making it back into the rotation, with just 16 minutes of action in the playoffs.
Now the approach is a more measured buildup to court work, in an effort to avoid a repeat of his stress fracture.
Although the Heat have to decide by the end of June whether to guarantee McGruder’s $1.5 million 2018-19 salary for next season, that is practically assured based on the value and performance.
“It’s been tough, it really has,” he said of stepping back from the game. “I wake up in the middle of the night thinking like, ‘I got to get back in the gym.’ But I’m playing it smart, just taking it day by day and just letting my body fully recover.
“During the day, I think about, ‘Man, I need to get back in the gym.’ But I’ve been talking with a lot of our coaches, just trying to sharpen my mind more, catching up on film, doing the things that can benefit me.”
Then came this weekend, when it was easy to think about more than the game.
“It just made me much more appreciative of what I have,” he said. “It’s how strong those young kids are and the things that they went through and the way their families have been impacted.”