| Abbreviation | NBRPA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1992 |
| Founder | Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Dave Cowens, Oscar Robertson and Archie Clark |
| Founded at | New York City |
| Type | Charitable 501 (c)3 non-profit organization |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Leader | Scott Rochelle |
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is a non-profit association composed of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA.[1] It was founded in 1992 by NBA Hall of Famers Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Dave Cowens, Oscar Robertson and former NBA point guard Archie Clark. Also referred to as the Legends of Basketball, the NBRPA serves as the official alumni organization for the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA.[2] The NBRPA was founded in New York City and is currently headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, while also having chapters located throughout the United States in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Phoenix.
The National Basketball Retired Players Association is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is supported by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).[3][4] The NBRPA seeks to assist former NBA, WNBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters players with their transition away from their careers as professional athletes. Additionally, the NBRPA works to positively impact communities and youth through basketball and mentorship.[5][6] In 2012, the Retired Players Association moved its headquarters to Chicago after 20 years in New York City.
The NBRPA is governed by a board of directors consisting exclusively of former professional basketball players that are elected by their peers
Scott Rochelle is the current President & CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.
In August 2014, the National Basketball Retired Players Association named Jalen Rose as their official Ambassador and Spokesperson.[7] Within this role, Rose will shape programs for former players while recruiting and enlisting the help of younger NBA players.[8]
The NBRPA's membership consists of over 1,000 former professional basketball players, featuring 70 NBA Hall of Famers and 41 of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. Members include Michael Jordan, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson.[9]
On August 6, 2013, the NBRPA announced its inaugural class of former WNBA players as NBRPA members after a historic vote by its board of directors.[10] The NBRPA announced Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Nikki McCray, Carla McGhee, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Penny Toler, and Teresa Weatherspoon as the inaugural class of former WNBA players as NBRPA Members.[11]
Legends Care is an initiative of the NBRPA that positively impacts communities and youth through basketball. NBRPA Legends give back through clinics, mentoring, charitable outreach and other grassroots initiatives in the United States and abroad with the goal of educating, inspiring and keeping youth active, healthy and safe.
As part of the NBRPA's global mission to give back, a group of Legends and NBRPA staff embark on annual goodwill missions to international destinations, such as Haiti, Panama, South Africa, and China, using basketball as a vehicle to impact children.
Created in 2009, the NBRPA's Dave DeBusschere Scholarship provides member Legends, their spouses and/or children with academic scholarships for higher education purposes. The NBRPA has awarded more than $1.5 million to over 500 recipients at 465 colleges/universities through the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Program and continues to grow with each new year.[12]