Within the sphere of the old-school world of basketball, Howard White’s name still rings loud and clear as one of the all-time legends. Having an exemplary career in throwing balls through hoops from high school all the way to university. His skills has not come unnoticed by the NBA and became their draft pick before his basketball career unfortunately came to a bitter end because of knee injuries.
But it didn’t just stop there! Howard has done everything he can to stay in the basketball game without being out there in the court. Starting from teaching aspiring players from college level until he finally reached the very top in Nike’s headquarters where he got the opportunity to work together with some of the most legendary names in basketball history.
When his heart was growing weak with age and his time is nearing its end of the line, Providence has stepped in to give him a few extra thousand miles with a brand-new heart. Courtesy of the best-in-class healthcare that you can afford, Providence hospitals decided to pay homage to his colorful career in making a influential impact to the history of basketball and created a heartwarming video of his life story.
Titled “’H’ is for Heart”, the video is a larger-than-life video on the trials, tribulations and success of Howard H. White’s journey and career in basketball and hoops. With the beginning shots showing him in the middle of an empty court and shooting three pointers all by himself. Nailing some shots and missing most.
We then see several shots of hospital footage and newspaper clippings of Howard’s basketball achievements cutting in and out. Howard then recollects his lifetime of playing basketball since his high school days all the way up to college where he began coaching, all while newspaper clippings and photographs appear on the screen. It wasn’t long when he made it to the offices of Nike and immediately started to work together with the most legendary names in basketball that we all know and love today.
However, as time passed and he grew older, Howard recalls the moment where he realized that his heart was about to give out when he has difficulty in trying to climb up a short flight of stairs. Even saying that he’s scared of falling asleep at night as he could expire at that very moment. And that was when Providence stepped in and gave him a brand-new heart to keep on pushing through life as a healthy person.
Howard remarks that the doctors, surgeons and nurses are a lot like basketball players. Saying that to ensure victory and success, it is a collaborative effort and all members must work together in perfect tandem flawlessly and as a team. The main difference, however, is that there is no ego in the doctors that were transplanting his heart. Prioritizing his life over theirs instead. Fast forward to today, Howard’s new heart is still going strong and still shooting hoops despite his age.
Like their namesake, Providence offers a new lease on life to the people who need it desperately. Just like the underappreciated career of a basketball legend. Making sure that everyone gets the healthcare they deserve at a price that they are able to afford for themselves.
Another legendary name in the world of basketball, Sonny Did! tells the story of one boy’s dream to become the greatest in the world!