FanHouse

If you're an NBA fan, I'm sure by now you've heard about how a barnstorming, ocean-jumping band of NBA players united solely by a love of charity (and, um, having the same agent) recently went to China for a charity game organized by Steve Nash and Yao Ming. So, was it all just a big marketing schtick, or did the players actually accomplish something good?

Fortunately, it seems to be the latter. Or perhaps more accurately, a world of good. From Aaron Nelson, a Suns employee who tagged along on the trip:

Steve and Yao did something incredible for the underprivileged children in China with help from many of their NBA and Chinese friends, as well as their agencies. Bing Hu played a big part in the event and was generous enough to fly us over on his private plane so we would not have to make the trip commercially. They told us that the money from the event will help build about 70 schools in China so that young children can now have the education that may have passed them by. You should all know the compassion and love Steve and Yao have for such a great cause. The players were grateful to be a part of such an event. Leandro is now looking at doing an event with Steve, similar to this one, to be held in Brazil.

Seventy schools? That's just amazing, as is the fact that at least one player who attended the trip has been inspired to organize another. For all the no-name scrubs who make headlines for all the wrong reasons, there are a lot of high-profile players using their fame to do a lot of good in the world, even if it's not happening in front of American television cameras.