JaVale McGee is not only a two-time NBA champion and a fantastic rim protector, but he’s also a committed philanthropist who seeks to make a difference in the world.
McGee runs a charity called Juglife Foundation Water for Life, which is devoted to delivering water to third-world countries like Uganda and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
On Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum, the foundation organized a charity softball game to raise money towards these goals.
Seung Lee of the East Bay Times has a great story about McGee and his foundation putting together such a meaningful event.
Oakland Coliseum was a fitting site to host the game, as the Warriors play at Oracle Arena just on the other side of the parking lot.
Participants in the game included local celebrities such as fellow Warriors players Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala, Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, and rapper E-40.
McGee has been organizing this charity softball event for 4 years now, the last 2 of which have been held in Oakland since he joined the Warriors.
Iguodala was the captain of the opposing team, and ultimately defeated McGee’s team by a score of 10-9 in front of several hundred fans.
Items and memorabilia were auctioned off at the event, with the money raised going towards improving water access for countries like Uganda.
McGee does a tremendous thing by bringing people together each year for such a great goal, and the other participants should be applauded as well.
Celebrities using their platforms to bring about change is fantastic, and this is the type of cause everybody can get behind.
McGee is set to be a free agent this offseason, so it’s not a given that next year’s charity softball game will be held in Oakland again.
Wherever McGee ends up next season, though, his foundation will continue to strive towards a noble cause and certainly attract plenty of participants.