Charity Stripe: NBAers Appearing In PSAs For HIV Testing

Odom (l) And Walton Among NBAers In HIV Testing PSA

HBO is teaming with the NBA and celebrities on a domestic and int’l PSA campaign to promote HIV testing leading up to National HIV Testing Day on June 27, according to Mike Reynolds of MULTICHANNEL NEWS.  Also helping to develop the PSAs were the Global Business Coalition of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria and the Kaiser Family Foundation.  NBAers featured include Lakers Fs Lamar Odom and Luke Walton, 76ers C Samuel Dalembert and G Kyle Korver, and Nets F Richard Jefferson and G Marcus Williams.  The PSAs will be shown in NBA arenas during games throughout the ’07-08 regular season, as well as on MTV and BET (MULTICHANNEL.com, 6/14).

PLANTING SEEDS: In Dallas, Eddie Sefko reports Mavericks Dir of Scouting Amadou Gallo Fall is promoting a feature-length documentary due out next year called "Hoopland," which “chronicles the SEEDS Academy in his native Senegal that he formed to provide kids a chance to improve their lives.”  Spurs GM R.C. Buford's sister, Anne, is producing the film.  Meanwhile, the SEEDS Academy has a resurfaced court “thanks to financial support” from Buford, Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban and others (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/15).

FREE GOLF: Last night’s edition of NBC’s “Nightly News” profiled a program led by former PGA Tour player Jim Estes that is giving wounded veterans free golf lessons, clubs and balls.  NBC’s Roger O’Neil said the program “has worked so well the (PGA of America) with 20,000 teaching pros has just partnered with Disabled Sports USA to expand it nationwide” (“Nightly News,” NBC, 6/14).