National Basketball Association

Team:       Detroit Pistons
Position:   Power Forward

Recent Plays

Founder, The Charlie Villanueva Foundation

Founder, Tenis Para Niños

A+B+C Rewards (Anti-Bullying Program)

Recipient, 2008 NBA Community Assist Award

Playing For:

The Charlie Villanueva Foundation     Tenis Para Niños

How He's in the Game

Charlie Villanueva’s personal foundation addresses three issues areas that have shaped the basketball star's life: assisting impoverished families in the Dominican Republic, supporting children with alopecia, and eliminating bullying in schools.

Affected by alopecia since the age of 12, Villanueva knows how important it is for children in similar situations to have supportive and inspiring role models. While on the road with the Pistons, he’s taken the time to meet with children suffering from alopecia in 16 different cities. He is also a national spokesperson for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). In Detroit, he’s donated his player ticket section to support these children and has filmed public service announcements to help educate the public about the disease.

As a native of the Dominican Republic, Charlie makes annual visits to distribute shoes as a part of his “Tenis Para Ninos” campaign.

About Charlie Villanueva

After a standout career at the University of Connecticut, winning a National Championship and earning team MVP honors, Charlie Villanueva was a lottery pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He had a solid first season in the league and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First team. He has continued to ramp up his production in the last few years and is currently in his second year with the Detroit Pistons.