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NBA players have been criticized by the media and fans alike for being spoilt and rich, but few know the impact that the players have on people and communities through foundations such as Make A Wish and other social outreach programs.
The Make A Wish foundation is a non-profit organization that does a tremendous job by helping fulfill the wishes of children with critical illness between the ages of two and 18. The foundation and the NBA players community go a long way back, with plenty of current and former players doing their bit to help fulfill the wishes of these children, who absolutely adore them.
The NBA community's close ties with organizations such as the Make A Wish Foundation show us how players view basketball as a platform to give back to the society as much as they can and that they have more to them than the sometimes negative public perception fueled by the media.
Many NBA players have contributed to helping the Make A Wish Foundation make these children's wishes come true, however, a few have stood out with their effort to make these children's days brighter by taking time out of their busy schedules. Without further ado, here are the top five NBA players with the most wishes granted.
Top five NBA players who have granted the most wishes through the Make A Wish Foundation
The Make A Wish Foundation provides NBA stars with an ideal opportunity to put a smile on the faces of kids who grew up adoring and idolizing them. Few players have made multiple kids' dreams come true while spending quality time with them.
#5 Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons has been in the eye of the storm lately because of his conflict with the 76ers organization and his trade demands.
Simmons has always been a player who has been heavily criticized in the media for his on-court issues, with him being labeled as a selfish player and portrayed in a bad light more often than not.
However, Simmons has a completely different off-the-court personality as he is selfless, humble, vocal and determined to give back to the community both back home in Australia and in Philadelphia through the Ben Simmons Family Foundation and other organizations such as the Make A Wish Foundation.
Ben Simmons has helped brighten the days of more than one child by granting multiple wishes through the Make A Wish Foundation, taking time out to spend with them what will be precious moments for the kids with their idol that they will always fondly remember.
#4 Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is without a doubt the greatest shooter that we have ever seen. Curry has a penchant for hitting ridiculous shots from insane angles and distances with effortless ease or should we say "Stephortless".
Curry has been as clutch off-the-court as he has been on the court, using his platform wisely by being vocal about social justice and other issues plauging the community. Steph has not only been vocal but backed it up with swift action, using his foundation and other charitable ventures to help grow and develop the community.
Curry and his wife Ayesha, through their Eat.Learn.Play.Foundation, have provided over 16 million meals over the past year to families and children in Oakland that are at risk of food insecurity.
Stephen Curry has been a huge source of inspiration for children of all ages and has had the privilege of making some of their dreams of spending time with him come true through the Make A Wish Foundation. Curry has granted multiple wishes over the years, helping put a smile on a lot of these kids' faces.
#3 LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood, with multiple accolades and records to his name. LeBron's combination of size, skill and intelligence makes him virtually unstoppable on the court.
But his true legacy remains off-the-court as he uses his influence to develop communities and have a tremendous impact on the next generation. LeBron, through his LeBron James Family Foundation, has built socially responsible projects such as the I Promise School, residential complexes and a sports complex serving the public interest as he looks to develop neglected communities.
King James has also been very vocal about social justice issues, politics and any other issues affecting the community.
LeBron is one of the leading ambassadors for the Make A Wish Foundation, granting the wishes of many kids whose dream of meeting their idol has come true as they look forward to a better and brighter future.
Also Read: What was Kobe Bryant's net worth in 2021?
#2 Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever play the game and has a storied legacy filled with mind-boggling accomplishments. Jordan has been a serial winner and trailblazer both on and off the court.
MJ's legacy extends beyond his on-court achievements and success in the business world as he has impacted and inspired plenty of lives both directly and indirectly. Jordan is known to be one of the biggest philanthropists in the league and has given back to the community through his many charitable donations, social outreach programs and associations with other organizations.
Jordan, through his James R. Jordan Foundation, began the Michael Jordan Education Club to encourage youths across the United States to improve their attendance and grades in school.
Michael Jordan has been one of the biggest ambassadors for the Make A Wish Foundation, working with them for over 30 years and granting multiple wishes, while also donating or bringing in over $5 million to support their cause.
#1 Kobe Bryant
The late great Kobe Bean Bryant was as prolific off-the court as he was on it. Kobe had a long career which spanned 20-years, where he earned five championships and was named an All-Star 18 times.
Kobe's on-court achievements were unparalleled, but his legacy lies in his off-court impact and the influence he had on various communities and lives. The Black Mamba put in the same effort he put on the court into his philanthropic work with the aim of developing communities and helping youth have better lives, as he focused on causes such as homelessness and education to improve their standard of living.
Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa, through their Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, have helped provide domestic and international scholarships and international enrichment programs for minority college students.
Kobe has also been the biggest ambassador for the Make A Wish Foundation, granting more than 200 wishes during his over 20-year association with the organization. His impact can still be felt despite him being gone too soon, as the kids whose life Kobe has touched, fondly look back at those memories as they look towards a brighter future with inspiration from their idol.
Guess the Lakers players!
