|
| Dwight Howard Top Stories... |
||
Paul, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets point guard who won the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year award, is an avid bowler, practicing whenever he can. "Basketball is just a hobby," said Paul, who starred at Wake Forest University and also teamed with James, Anthony, Wade and Howard at the 2006 FIBA World Championships for Team USA. "Bowling is what I really do." USBC provided bowling shirts and bowling pins (also emblazoned with the Toyota logo as official sponsor the Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend) for all 16 teams of four entered in the sold-out event. Also, bowling stars and USBC spokespeople Diandra Asbaty, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Kim Terrell hosted a youth clinic and bowled in the pro-am as "super subs" for teams that donated money to bowl with the women for select frames. The three women bowlers, who represent USBC Youth, High School and Collegiate, respectively, also are USBC-certified coaches and offered plenty of advice to the NBA stars, who all showed interest in improving their bowling games. "It was a spectacular event," said Tom Clark, USBC chief officer of marketing and communications. "USBC was proud to be involved with these awesome athletes and, in particular, Chris Paul, a true role model who knew before he even became a star that he wanted to give back to his community. "From LeBron James on down to an 8-year-old who got some great advice on the lanes, everyone had a great time bowling." James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was the No. 1 draft pick out of high school in 2003 and has become one of the most identifiable athletes in the world. Wade was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player as his Miami Heat won the NBA championship in June. Anthony, of the Denver Nuggets, led Syracuse to the NCAA title as a freshman. Howard was the No. 1 pick of the Orlando Magic out of high school last year and had a strong rookie season. Howard also is serious about his bowling. He owns six bowling balls, many drilled by former PWBA star and Junior Team USA bowling coach Kendra Gaines in Orlando, Fla. He wears size 19 bowling shoes. James, Wade and Anthony showed skill on the lanes, each striking a number of times. Since their hands are larger than average, palming the ball often was the method of delivery. Paul is the best bowler of the bunch with a 246 game to his credit, but he has a thirst for knowledge and wants to keep getting better. The team led by Paul's father, Charles, was the eventual winner of the pro-am. The four top teams after three games advanced to a final one-game shootout. Charles' team ran away with it as famous onlookers James and Anthony chanted "MVP! MVP!" for the team's leadoff bowler Lee Mack, an amateur who bowled a 269 in the final. Even with all the NBA stars in the building, Mack's USBC bowling shirt had just three autographs on it: Asbaty's, Dorin-Ballard's and Terrell's. Among other stars taking part in the celebrity pro-am were Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks, Paul's coach and former NBA great Byron Scott, NBA legend Muggsy Bogues and four members of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes - Bret Hedican, Andrew Ladd, Mike Commodore and Chad LaRose. Earlier Saturday, many of the basketball stars helped Paul host a kids basketball clinic at a YMCA in Winston Salem. Octagon, the sports management firm that represents Paul, hosted the event. On Friday evening prior to a gala reception, two bowling balls donated by Storm brought in high bids during an auction. |
||
For More On This Story, Click Here More Dwight Howard Articles
Dwight Howard and the Magic Bench Out Shine 'Melo and the Nuggets
Even More Dwight Howard News Syndicated content not available |
