Armstrong

JAN. 16, 2008 -- First off I have to say thanks to Arn Tellem, my current employer at Wasserman Sports Group and the man who represented me when I was a player, for getting me involved in this latest trip to Israel. I have assisted Arn previously with other events such as Seeds of Peace, another incredible experience, and the Twinned Peace Sports Schools project was equally amazing. Arn deserves all the credit for putting together the group, organizing the event and getting everything in place.

He really has been instrumental in heightening the awareness of the situation currently in Israel with the Palestinians and Israelis and the conflict that currently exists in that region of the world. Arn has always been a man of solutions and one to offer suggestions, not to just point out the problem, but actually get in and get involved. As a result, he has certainly heightened my awareness and consciousness of the current situation. He has done a remarkable job of not only talking about it but actually getting involved in it on a personal level and really being an advocate of peace.

"These kids regardless of religion, culture, wherever they're at in the world, somehow, someway they've heard of NBA basketball." NBAE/Getty Images

When I was over in Israel I did four total basketball camps, two for boys and two for girls. With both groups you were able to see how they engaged themselves in an activity to forget about their current situation. That was great to see. When you have kids from these different areas and cultures living in a climate that is not conducive to what you would consider to be normal activity here in the States, and you see them able to forget about their problems, it is something special. By the end of it we were smiling, we were having fun and there was lots of laughter. They were able to relax for a little while despite living under such duress and in such hostile environments.

Interacting with the girls in particular was an eye-opening experience. With the girls you saw how their culture has influenced them. The differences in how women are perceived in that part of that world as compared to here in the States is evident. You could really see the reservation as far as their just being able to participate in sports. This is something we take for granted in this country, but there they are just beginning to stress women participating in sports and being active participants in that way. With the young girls from Palestine and the Palestinian regions it was definitely something you picked up on. Regardless, the girls had a great enthusiasm for the game. You saw it because they haven't been able to do that. Observing the strides that they've made in that part of the world and how they're open to new things and new suggestions was interesting.

On the basketball court, the guys always want to know how to be a better shooter, a better basketball player, any tips you may have to give them an advantage when they go out and play. The girls were more interested in the fundamental questions about the game - passing, dribbling, when should they dribble. One of the girls asked me if it was appropriate to dribble during certain parts of the game. Their view of the game is much different than the guys.

On trips such as this one, the thing that always amazes me is the branding of NBA basketball. These kids regardless of religion, culture, wherever they're at in the world, somehow, someway they've heard of NBA basketball. They know the players and they have some type of knowledge of the game. To me, it's amazing how sports has transcended their life situations, be it race, culture, political climate, whatever.

B.J. Armstrong meets with Simon Peres, the President of Israel. NBAE/Getty Images

During the course of this trip, I think both myself and Omar - Omar Minaya, general manager of the New York Mets who was also accompanied us - were very humbled by the experience and what we were able to do there. You're talking about thousands of years of history. The impact of just being in Jerusalem, seeing the Wailing Wall, the city of David, and all the places that we were able to visit, was incredible. And there were Met fans in Israel, though Omar didn't share any inside information regarding his offseason plans for the team. It was amazing to see the impact of sports. The biggest compliment is when the prime minister was talking to Omar about baseball - he's a huge baseball fan and sports fan and he knew about the Mets - and to me about basketball and the Chicago Bulls. He was even asking about certain parts of a game from 1995 and what were doing out on the court versus the Knicks.

When you participate in sports as a player, you never know the impact that you have and you never get a chance to see and be amongst the people and be able to touch the people and touch the kids and share it with them. You're always on the go and doing things. I think what has opened my eyes with trips such as this one is the awareness of the many positive things you can actually do and the positive impact you have on people and the joy you can bring them in relieving them from their everyday activities and the stresses and problems they may have. The attachment that people have to sports and what it brings and what it shares and how it transcends the differences we have, whether it's physically, culturally, or religiously, it's really amazing when you get out there with the people. Sport has a powerful impact. I am very humbled to bring so much positivity to people. I am constantly reminded that you never know who is watching. You see these little kids who come up to me and say they remember watching me play in the early '90s. You never think about that, but these kids have everlasting memories. People come up and thank you all the time. Now that I'm able to share that with people, I'm so appreciative to have had the opportunity to play in the NBA, but more importantly to give off a positive vibe to people and give them something they shared and will probably cherish for the rest of their life. The joy that sports can bring and the examples it can set and really give people a sense of hope is an amazing thing to see.

B.J. Armstrong was a point guard in the NBA from 1989-2000. Throughout Armstrong's career in the NBA, he played for Chicago, Golden State, Charlotte and Orlando. Chosen 18th overall by Chicago in 1989, Armstrong won three NBA Championships with the Bulls during the Jordan-era.