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BJ Armstrong
BJ Armstrong was a member of the Chicago Bulls' NBA championship teams in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He was named an NBA All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game. During his career, Armstrong played in 577 consecutive games between the 1989-90 and 1996-97 seasons, which is the 11th longest streak in NBA history. Armstrong has also appeared in 103 career NBA Playoff games, averaging 8.0 ppg (points per game) 2.4 apg (assists per game) and 1.5 rpg (rebounds per game). Since his retirement he has been active in a number of NBA initiatives including Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Summer Camps and the 5th Annual NBA "Play for Peace" Basketball Clinic at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, Maine. Founded in 1993, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence.
Brendan Haywood
Brendan Haywood, a five-year NBA veteran, has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizards. A four-year starter at the University of North Carolina, Haywood appeared in two Final Fours 1997-98 and 1999-00. Active in the D.C. area community, Haywood, along with his teammates, delivers holiday gifts and meals. Haywood hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon for Washington, D.C. area senior citizens and took part in the Wizards Benefit Lunch to raise money for the Wizards Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. In response to his belief in education, Haywood also hosted "Haywood's All-Star Teachers" and rewarded 10 winning teachers from the Washington, D.C. area with $1,000.
Ruth Riley
Ruth Riley recently led the Detroit Shock to the 2006 WNBA Championship, the second for the franchise. In 2003 Riley was named the WNBA Finals' Most Valuable Player after leading the Shock to its first WNBA Championship. Riley, a 2001 graduate of Notre Dame, also won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Off the court, Riley was named the WNBA Community Assist Award Winner for August 2006 and works with Orchards Children's Services, a group that provides care for children without homes in Southeast Lower Michigan. Riley is also very involved in year-round events such as reading tip-off, athletic season banquet, donor recognition events and filming PSA's.