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FAITH IN ACTION

Basketball Euro-star a hit at home parish

If you asked students at St. John the Evangelist School in Schenectady who their favorite basketball player is, you'd probably hear the names "Kobe Bryant" and "LeBron James" a lot. But you might also hear a lesser-known name: "Willie Deane."

A 1992 graduate of St. John the Evangelist and former Schenectady High School standout, Mr. Deane visited the school earlier this summer, where he presented a check for $5,000 from the Willie Morris Deane III Foundation. The donation helped establish the Willie Deane scholarship assistance fund.

"The main reason I wanted to establish the Willie Deane Scholarship Fund was to give an opportunity to less fortunate kids to attend a school that their parents would like them to go to but aren't able to afford," he wrote from Europe in an interview conducted by email.

Though the Willie Morris Deane III Foundation is not yet completed, Mr. Deane is excited about the opportunity to support his home community.

"The sole purpose is giving back to the communities and organizations that have helped me become the person I am today," he said. "These organizations, facilities and communities are the city of Schenectady, Schenectady High School, St. John the Evangelist School and Church, the YMCA, Central Park, Jerry Burrell Park and Purdue University - to name just a few."

Upward trajectory
After a heralded basketball career at Schenectady High, Mr. Deane attended Boston College for one year, then transferred to Purdue University in Indiana, where he also starred on the court. He was named to the First Team-All Big Ten in 2003 and finished his career with 1,328 career points, which ranks 20th on Purdue's all-time list. 

After a brief cup of coffee in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons in 2003, Mr. Deane found a better opportunity in the European League, where he has played his last six seasons. 

Today, Mr. Deane is a free agent and hopes to make it back to the NBA. Still, he is grateful for his time in Europe.

"They gave me an opportunity to continue playing the sport that I love, along with opening my mind to many countries and cultures that I most likely wouldn't have had the chance to visit," he said.

All of that traveling has made Mr. Deane appreciate his time off the court, which he uses to relax and enjoy "la dolce vita" when he is not working on his charity.

"Off the court, I am a quiet person who appreciates and enjoys the simple things that life has to offer," he explained. "I am a big family person, and since I spend nine months out of the year in Europe I just like to relax and enjoy quiet time reading or spending time around the family."

Divine coaching
Through his success, Deane has also found a new understanding of religious faith.

"My faith has influenced my basketball career and my life as a whole by understanding that, through God, everything is possible," he said. 

"Just like in life, in basketball, you are faced with obstacles that may seem impossible to overcome, but I have learned that with patience, belief and faith in the Lord, things always work out. Sometimes they might not work out the way we want exactly, but God has a plan for each and every one of us." 

For more information on Willie Deane III and the Willie Morris Deane III Foundation, visit www.williemdeaneiii.com.

(08/27/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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