The NBA great Charles Barkley is expanding his philanthropic reach by giving to Spelman University in addition to the University of Maryland and Howard University.

In light of the positive influence that Spelman has had on Jordyn Hudson, the daughter of his business partner John Hudson, Barkley announced this week that he is contributing $1 million to the Atlanta-based historically Black women’s college.

Barkley praised John as a mentor, friend, and business partner in an interview with al.com, a local newspaper in Alabama. I replied him, “Why not there?” because his daughter was excelling at Spelman and I wanted to expand my horizons to other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Jordyn Hudson, a sophomore at Spelman, has been elected president of her class. The Birmingham, Alabama native created the documentary “Shape the Culture: Then & Now” this past summer, which explored the connections between the generation of activists from the 1960s and the current generation.

The announcement on Thursday came as a total surprise to everyone at Spelman. In other words, it makes sense. Barkley often makes public statements about his large donations before ever telling the colleges themselves.

Helene Gayle, the new president of Spelman College, noted that “Charles Barkley’s $1 million commitment to Spelman College comes at a key time as we work to eliminate education and wealth disparities for Black families and retain affordable education choices for women of African heritage.” “This significant contribution will help build upon Spelman’s history of developing the next generation of leaders,” the university said in a statement.

As a result of recent high-profile and generous gifts, Spelman is now commonly regarded as the top institution for Black students and as one of the greatest colleges for women in the United States.

Spelman College began the public portion of their $250 million “Spelman Ascends” fundraising campaign in 2021.

Since Gayle took office as Spelman’s 11th president on July 1, following executive positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CARE USA, and the Chicago Community Trust, Barkley’s gift is particularly well-timed.

With his charming hosting of “Inside the NBA,” Barkley has won over a new generation of sports fans, and he has recently made it a practice to donate to historically black colleges and universities.

This is his sixth large donation to a Black college since 2016, with the most recent one going to Spelman. Barkley, who grew up in Alabama, gave $1 million to Alabama A&M University, Miles College, and Tuskegee University.

Both Clark Atlanta University (2016) and Morehouse College (2017) have received $1 million pledges from him.

John Hudson told al.com, “People are aware of Charles from TNT and his NBA stardom, but I don’t think people are aware of how focused he is on philanthropy and entrepreneurism,” John Hudson told al.com. “He knows how committed Jordyn is to Spelman and has seen how it has transformed her worldview.”

Barkley, a 1981 alumnus of Leeds High School, reportedly paid $1,000 to each employee of Leeds City Schools and arranged for 200 laptops and free internet connectivity for a year to be given to pupils.

“What can you say about someone who is so giving and charitable with their resources with all they’ve accomplished?” John Hudson said. “He has a special place in his heart for Black women; I’ve seen him invest in Black female-owned companies. This is just another indication of Char­­les investing in something that is close to his heart.”

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The competition to lead the Los Angeles Lakers is heating up.

It was reported days ago that they were interested in Darvin Ham, a highly rated assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Adrian Griffin, an assistant with the Toronto Raptors.

L.A. is apparently also interested in hiring veteran NBA head coaches like Utah Jazz leader Quin Snyder, Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers, and former Portland Trail Blazers head man Terry Stotts.

Mark Jackson, who coached the Golden State Warriors at the start of the Stephen Curry era, is another veteran head coach that has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers.

L.A. has reportedly interviewed Jackson, according to multiple sources.

The Los Angeles Lakers have interviewed former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson for their head coaching job, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Jackson is among the finalists for the Sacramento Kings head coach opening.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 7, 2022

Source confirms the Lakers have interviewed current NBA analyst and former Warriors coach Mark Jackson https://t.co/BVq2mlW55u

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) May 7, 2022

Jackson, a point guard in the NBA for a long time in the ’80s and ’90s, and coached rather well in his three seasons with the Warriors (2012-2014).

The Warriors improved dramatically under Steve Kerr after Jackson was let go, going from 51 wins the year before to 67 in 2015.

Clarification: Jackson is not a terrible coach. But in Los Angeles, good just isn’t good enough; the Lakers are a team with 17 titles, and as long as LeBron James is there and playing at a high level, it’s championship or bust.

Brady Klopfer has said, Jackson “who has been an analyst for NBA telecasts on ABC and ESPN for the last several years, has a laundry list of weaknesses.

What’s Your Take On Mark Jackson’s Potential Lakers Hire?

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After defeating the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 on the road on Sunday night, the Boston Celtics are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. There were 26 points apiece from Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart for the Celtics, who will now face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night in San Francisco.

The Celtics dominated from start to finish and reacted to every Miami Heat spurt. Boston held off a late charge from Miami to shave two points off the final score. Miami’s Jimmy Butler, who played the entire game and scored 35 points, performed the bulk of the offensive work. Butler, on his alone, was unable to secure victory for the Heat, who were the top seed.

This marks Ime Udoka’s first win as a head coach in the NBA after the Celtics upset the Bucks earlier in the series, 109-81.

isthatporks take; Congrats to the Boston Celtics on their victory last nite. Both teams weren’t at their full power but there are no excuses at the end of the day. It was a great back and forth series “Food Years Up!” to the Celtics. The heat has nothing to feel bad about either, they fought to the end.