Playing For:

Brandon Bass Reach Back Foundation

National Basketball Association

Team:       Orlando Magic
Position:   Forward

Recent Plays

Volunteer, Orlando Magic’s KaBoom Build

How He's in the Game

Brandon Bass’ road to the NBA was far from easy. His mother, Aretha Bass, passed away when Brandon was only 10 years old, leaving him to take care of his younger siblings. Moving continuously between relatives’ homes, Bass “didn’t have any inspiration, just bad influences.” Nonetheless, Bass stood out at LSU and earned a second round draft spot in 2005. With regard to his unlikely success, he explains, “Once I realized I was going to be an NBA player, I just wanted to find a way to help other kids to make it to this point in life… I’ve had to work hard to get where I am and had to go through a lot. Now I just want to give something back.”

He started his own philanthropic organization, the Brandon Bass Reach Back Foundation, in 2007. It aims to serve and support underprivileged youth in Bass’ hometown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One of the foundation’s cornerstone programs is the free week-long basketball camp that Bass hosts for children of the region. The Reach Back Foundation executes a wide variety of programs, including school supply drives, academic scholarships, after school programs, leadership programs, and many others. Brandon has also donated his time to the Magic’s community outreach programs, helping out with their KaBoom build project, visiting with cancer patients at the Florida Children's Hospital, and donating sections of tickets for home games.

About Brandon Bass

Brandon Bass was chosen 33rd overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. After logging quality minutes off the bench during his first few seasons with the Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks, he progressed to a starting position with the Orlando Magic during the 2009 season.