Retired Players Association Reaches Out

Charles Smith isn't looking just for guys like John Stockton and David Robinson, former players going into the Basketball Hall of Fame this week. He's looking for guys liker Isaiah Rider and David Vaughn, former players struggling to make the transition from NBA player to Everyday Joe.

Smith is the executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), a position he took eight months ago with the intent of signing up every former player he could find – with an emphasis on those who needed some help.

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"So many guys just don't know we're out there,'' said Smith, who played 10 years in the NBA before retiring in San Antonio in 1997. "We have to do a better job of getting the word out.''

It didn't take Smith very long -- only a few hours -- to find Vaughn after reading a story about him on FanHouse. Vaughn, who played parts of four seasons in the NBA, quietly struggled in Orlando after his money ran out in recent years. He never had registered with the NBRPA and never knew the assistance it could provide.

"From the superstars, to those who have fallen on hard times, we can use them all,'' Smith said. "We want them all.''

Smith estimated Tuesday that only 600 of a possible 2,500 former players were part of the organization, which can provide post-playing-days assistance through a variety of programs that can include counseling, continued education, job placement, financial planning or financial assistance.

"It's no different than an executive or CEO of a company who suddenly gets pushed out the door, and his phone stops ringing,'' Smith said. "Sometimes they just need advice on where to turn, what to do next.''