Throughout our lives we are told that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. With hard work and determination we can make our dreams come true, even the wildest ones. For Jason Kidd this week has been a wild one, and with odds, critics and Father Time seeming to work against him, his childhood and professional dream came true. After 17 seasons in the NBA Jason Kidd is finally a champion; sealing the last piece of the puzzle to his Hall of Fame career. Childhood dreams are something Kidd has thrived on and when he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1994, his first dream came true and he wasted no time helping others reach their goal.
Established in 1999, the Jason Kidd Foundation was created to help kids at any age through all aspects of life. Through mentoring, tutoring and technology programs the JKF is dedicated to improving education among youth to give kids the platform and opportunity to fulfill their dreams. The Jason Kidd Foundationworks in partnership with Vogel Alcove, KIPP DFW and Northern Lights School, all in efforts to assist kids in any way possible with the goal of receiving the best education possible.
Jason Kidd has been called one of the most community oriented players in the NBA and his infectious desire to better the people around him to do their best doesn’t end at the sidelines. Jason Kidd’s ability to give off the basketball court is endless as he has participated in a variety of many things. He has participated in Read to Achieve; Mavs Reading and learning centers; has raised money for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and also shows his support for the American Soldiers. He received the 2009-10 NBA Cares Community Assist Award and has been outstanding in his efforts to improve people’s lives not only in Dallas, but also around the world.
Jason Kidd has had a very successful 17-year career; co-winning Rookie of the Year; a 10-time All-Star; 3rd all time with 107 triple-doubles and 2 Olympic gold medals. After making two straight appearances in the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets and losing both times, many speculated that Kidd would never be crowned an NBA champion. However, like the endless children given a chance to dream big, Jason never stopped believing and finally after 17 seasons in the NBA he captured his first Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy with his Dallas Mavericks.
His ability to stay calm in tough times is what helped lead the Mavericks past the all-powerful Miami Heat and solidify his position as a Hall of Famer. It is that same sense of confidence and ability to keep his composure that has allowed him to help so many people and give kids with little hope the chance to dream big and the ability to chase those dreams with success.
To learn more about the Jason Kidd Foundation, visit http://www.jasonkiddfoundation.org/home.html
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