In sports media, we have a tendency to only focus on the negative or when something horrible occurs on the hardwood. Case in point, the recent Georgetown vs Chinese team brawl in China. But when a player does something positive, it deserves every bit as much attention as a negative act.
One recent example should be the kindness recently shown by the former Mr. Vin-sanity, Vince Carter. Carter has been as much maligned as any player over the past few seasons as he has had a hard time fitting in on the Orlando and Phoenix rosters.
But his decision to donate $2.5 million to his former alma mater, the University of North Carolina definitely deserves praise. Even as the Phoenix Suns management are waiting for the Lockout to end, to reportedly buyout the last year of his mega-sized contract, Carter found time to give back.
His rather sizable donation to the school’s Carolina Basketball Family Fund has earned him naming rights to the now famous Letterman’s Lane, which leads from the Smith Center and the Koury Natatorium on campus. Each brick on the walkway honors a different standout player, coach, trainer, or manager that made their mark on the storied program’s history.
Carter starred for 3 seasons on Chapel Hill from ‘95-’98, helping to lead the Tarheels to back-to-back Final Four appearances, before leaving after his junior season as an NBA Lottery selection. Vince went on to NBA superstardom, known mostly for his high flying dunks, as he arguably had the best performance ever in the 2000 Dunk Contest.
Here’s Carter’s statement on the donation:
“My days as a Carolina student, both pre-NBA and during the summers after I was drafted, will always be special to me. It goes without saying that I am a Tar Heel. For several years, I have been thinking about something I could do to leave a legacy at UNC. Lettermen’s Lane is a perfect fit.”
Kudos Vince. Surely more players do it, but we just don’t hear about it. Now you will be remembered for more than just this:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
