Represent-Feature Story

Finding Your Passion
An interview with basketball star Alonzo Mourning

By Manny Sanchez

Basketball player Alonzo Mourning is a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time defensive player of the year. He’s also a former foster child.

Mourning was 12 years old when he was placed in foster care. He says that his foster mother has played a huge role in his life, giving him the extra push when he needed it. When she realized how much he loved basketball, she signed him up for a summer program and got him on his way to becoming the person he is today, both the athlete and the man outside the jersey.

Off the court, Alonzo has done a lot to help others. In 1997, he started his own charity, which provides and funds programs for youth, like mentoring, basketball clinics and after-school centers.

Last summer, I got the chance to meet Alonzo at a charity golf tournament in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. When I first saw him, he was sitting down, and still my height. I was so nervous because he plays for my favorite team in the NBA, the Miami Heat. I had never seen any players up close, let alone talked to them.

But after some trembling and stuttering, I pulled out my notepad and got to it. When he spoke to me, I could feel the sincerity in his voice. Here’s some of what he had to say:

Q: How has being in foster care affected you?

A: My experience in foster care has given me the strength and guidance to continue to live my life. I knew there was somebody that cared about my well-being and was willing to take me in and give me a positive atmosphere. When someone was there providing the help I needed, I would be wasting their time if I didn’t go out and do the best I could in life.

Q: So you had a positive experience?

A: I did have a positive experience in care. I know a lot of kids don’t. But I think it’s important for us to try to look for different ways to educate ourselves to find what we’re good at. As soon as you educate yourself and you find your niche, you’re able to make a life out of that. It’s difficult when you’re in foster care. I know many kids think it’s an embarrassing situation. But I think it can be an enlightening situation. It’s a chance to live life differently, if you have individuals around you who care how you turn out in life.

Q: Who were the positive people in your life?

A: I had a lot of individuals in my life who helped with my development as a professional athlete and as a person, from teachers and coaches to my foster parent and my biological parents—despite being in care, my biological parents were still good, inspiring people in my life.

Q: Why did you start Alonzo Mourning Charities, and what does it do?

A: I started the charity because I realized there was a need for it. It started as a fundraiser and it grew from there. Now we’ve raised over $6 million in the last 11 years. I want to continue to try to help young people who are in similar situations to where I was. Without those positive individuals in my life, I wouldn’t be in the place I’m in today. We try to support organizations that give kids that support.

Our next goal is to try to build youth centers across Florida and across the country that provide after-school programming and safe havens for kids who need assistance, like kids in foster care. We want to provide a great resource for them.

Q: Do you have any advice for our readers?

A: I remember when I was 15. I needed a road map back then. I didn’t know which direction I was going in, I just knew I wanted to play ball. But if you are able to get an education, that opens up so many other avenues for you to succeed in. You may have an idea now of what you want to do, but if you go to college, you might find out you’re good at something else. The only way to find that out is by continuing your education. Follow your heart. Follow your passion.