Inductee: Alonzo Mourning
Forever enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, Alonzo Mourning was nothing less than a star. But, in an interview with ESPN, he said, “I feel like my true purpose here is service to others. It’s bigger than basketball.” Well. Let’s refresh our memory on just how “big” basketball was for him. “Zo” was drafted second overall in the 1992 draft by the Charlotte Hornets but played 10 of his 16 years with the Miami Heat and a couple with the New Jersey Nets. He has a Championship and Olympic Medals, is a seven-time All-Star and had his number, 33, retired by the Heat. After all, he was “the very best thing that ever happened to this franchise,” said Pat Riley, Heat Coach at the time. With all of that, how could anything be bigger? 21 years ago, Alonzo and his wife, Tracy, began the Mourning Family Foundation (MFF) to help children and teens through advocacy, education and enrichment. They collect contributions, which they allocate to various programs that h