Local NBA player Jamaal Magloire’s biggest victories are won at home.

BY: Shakiyl Cox (former JAMBA Player) 

This member of the Miami Heat is the only Toronto-born player in the NBA, and that puts a lot of pride and responsibility on the tall shoulders of this 10-year veteran.

 Jamaal, 31, knows all about beating the odds.  Jamaal is familiar with crime, as his younger half-brother brother Justin Sheppard was a victim to gun violence.  Justin was murdered at the young age of 19 in 2001.  His murderer is still at large. “His passing has inspired me to be more of an ambassador against gun violence,” said Jamaal.

He plays a pivotal role in an organization called United Mothers Opposing Violence Everywhere which was founded in 2005 by Audette Sheppard, the mother of his late brother. In UMOVE he said the role he plays is, “Being the mediator between adults and kids, trying to let them know they are smarter.”

He credits his parents Garth, and Marion Magloire for being who he is. “Coming from Trinidad in the late 1960s, they had to persevere not knowing anyone. They were two solid blue collar workers with no jobs,” said Jamaal.

This has led Jamaal to reach out within his community and establish the Jamaal Magloire Basketball Association. This program gives children in Scarborough a chance to play basketball and compete at a competitive level within the Ontario Basketball Association, and other various tournaments. What separates this organization from other organizations is the subsidized cost. “I’m blessed with the opportunity. My duty is to help others to aspire to be like me,” he said.
             
Donovan Smith, 44, who works for the Toronto District School Board, has volunteered his time as a coach at JAMBA since it began four years ago. “My interest is basketball, and I’d like to keep the kids off the street,” said Smith. When asked what they emphasize within this association, Smith replied that it is all about developing life skills that the children can use later in life. This program has become such a huge part of these children’s lives that they stop by to visit even after they have outgrown the age limits of the teams. With Jamaal busy playing for the Miami Heat throughout the year, Natalie Richardson, a long time friend of Jamaal, manages the teams. “Natalie Richardson and I started trying to achieve teamwork rather than having idle time,” said Magloire.
              
Kevon Parchment, 17, who attends West Hill C.I, is currently a player on JAMBA. Jamaal Magloire has had an impact on his life for sure.  Parchment has felt the positive repercussions of this program. “[It] definitely helped me get out of trouble and maintain a good attitude. I learned some quality leadership roles and how to take criticism,” said Parchment. He has maintained a focus that has led him to want to pursue a career in physical education.

JAMBA has been successful enough to have seen multiple teens move on to college and university. For example, following the 2008-2009 season, over 90% of their players went on to post-secondary education.  Adrian Tomlinson, 19, one of the best basketball players in Toronto, was fortunate enough to have JAMBA there to assist him in getting to St. Lawrence College in Kingston. “Donovan Smith has helped me get to St. Lawrence College. He contacted the coach and I followed through with it,” said Tomlinson. He certainly feels that he has benefitted from being associated with Jamaal Magloire. “It has given me the life tools and life skills to better me as a man and a person.”
        
Even if Jamaal wasn’t fortunate enough to be such a prominent figure, he feels he still would have been helping others. At the University of Kentucky he majored in social work, because he felt if basketball didn’t work out for him he’d be mentoring young children. When he decides to hang up the sneakers, he still wants to be a major part of the community. “[I’d like to be] an ambassador in Toronto helping kids achieve their dream,” said Jamaal.
             
Helping children out and playing basketball is not the only thing that keeps Jamaal’s name circulated throughout Toronto. He’s heavily involved within Toronto’s Caribana. Caribana is a festival celebrating Caribbean culture that takes place every summer here in Toronto. He has his own band the “Toronto Revellers,” which competes in the parade event, claiming the coveted title of “Band of the Year” two years in a row in 2007 and 2008. Jamaal is proud of his Trinidadian heritage, and wants to share it with everyone he can. “It’s a part of my culture. I want the kids to realize where they come from,” said Jamaal.

Jamaal’s selfless personality has been felt throughout JAMBA, as everyone involved seems to sense that. “You would never know that this is Jamaal’s program unless somebody said this is Jamaal’s program,” said Smith. “He’s just humble.” When asked to sum JAMBA up into one word Adrian Tomlinson replied, “Family.  Everyone’s together, nobody is separate, we are just a unit that supports each other.”

Donovan Smith believes there is a common misconception of JAMBA, as people don’t truly know where the emphasis of their mission is. “We’re not here to sell basketball, we’re here to sell the education, and that’s the key. You need the diploma.”