Davis to sponsor AAU gear for local teams
Former LSU basketball star and current Boston Celtic Glen Davis announced Tuesday that he will sponsor basketball gear for eight local AAU teams as a way to pay back the programs and community that helped him arrive where he is at in his basketball career.
Glen Davis, the 2006 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and a 2007 All-SEC selection, will outfit eight teams with uniforms, shoes, basketballs equipment.
“Basically it was something I wanted to do and thought was necessary to do to give back to the community that molded me and put me in the right direction and gave me the traits I have now that helped me get where I’m at,” Glen Davis said.
Known affectionately as “Big Baby,” Glen Davis was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 35th pick in the 2007 NBA draft in June and was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics.
Shaq, LSU fix playground
Former LSU All-American and current Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal, along with current LSU student-athletes, will help renovate a playground at Polk Elementary today as part of the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills program.
84 Lumber has donated $20,000 to the CHAMPS/Life Skills program, which provided the necessary funds for the Polk project.
In addition to 84 Lumber’s monetary and materials donation, other companies that have supplied materials include Dutch Boy, Linzer Brush, Intertape and Union Tools, Shaw Carpeting and Louisiana John Deere Dealers.
O’Neal will speak to an assembly of Polk Elementary students at 9:30 a.m. before LSU student-athletes begin renovation of the playground. Student-athletes will be at the elementary school throughout the day until around 5 p.m. helping with the project.
Current men’s basketball standout Garrett Temple attended Polk Elementary and will now be helping to give back to the school as he helps with the construction around 11:30 a.m.
The 1992 National Player of the Year and a three-time All-SEC pick, O’Neal is recognized as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He was named to the list of the league’s 50 greatest players and has been part of four championship teams.
Thomas, Shaq golf events
Former LSU basketball great Tyrus Thomas, now a rising star with the Chicago Bulls, is hosting a benefit golf tournament Friday to raise money for the Tyrus Thomas Foundation.
Spots still remain for the event, which will be at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Denham Springs. The costs are $200 per golfer or $800 per foursome.
Besides a round of golf, Thomas’ tournament also includes a silent auction and raffle.
Carter Plantation will be the site of the O’Neal Golf Classic, a golf outing sponsored by O’Neal and the Tiger Athletic Foundation. Registration has closed.
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