After a successful comeback to the NBA following his career-threatening ACL, MCL, and PCL injury back in 2007, and eventually signing a three-year, $16 million contract with the Golden State Warriors two seasons ago, Shaun Livingston is giving back to the community where he grew up.
The 31-year-old point guard donated $1 million to his hometown elementary school in Peoria, Illinois. The amount will be used for the infrastructure of the school and also to build an additional storm shelter.
Livingston recently talked about donating the huge amount and what it meant to him to help his hometown.
“As soon as I got in the NBA, I was thinking about it. Wanting to use my influence and resources to help different communities.”
Particularly this one, a place he feels so connected. “It made the most difference in who I am, my foundation, building blocks.”
The former fourth-overall pick of the 2004 draft is not one of the highest-paid players in the league, but knowledge from his financial advisor allowed him to give that much.
“I talked it out with my financial advisor and made it work. It was of the utmost importance. It was something I wanted to do.”
“It meant more to me than any basketball game.”
Professional athletes are now being more active in social issues and helping out communities, and Livingston has certainly raised it to a whole new level especially for players who are not owners of grand contracts.