'Moving the legacy forward': NBA's Suns honor LINC's Calvin Wainright
Calvin Wainright, left, the longtime LINC Caring Communities Coordinator who championed youth basketball in Kansas City, was honored by the NBA’s Phoenix Suns with a $1,000 donation to LINC on behalf of Wainright’s son, Ish Wainright, right, who plays forward for the Suns. Ish Wainright photo courtesy of the Suns.
The Caring Communities mission to carry on the life’s work of the late Calvin Wainright has gotten a boost from the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Wainright’s son, Ish Wainright, is in his second year playing forward for the Suns, and the NBA team is honoring his father with a $1,000 donation to LINC’s Caring Communities.
“We are so blessed to see that Kansas City and beyond are determined and committed to ‘Move The Legacy Forward,’” wrote Calvin Wainright’s wife, the Rev. Cassandra Wainright, in thanks to the Suns organization.
Calvin Wainright was also a pastor — as well as a coach, organizer, life mentor, neighborhood leader and a LINC Caring Communities coordinator.
He died Oct. 31 after an extended illness at the age of 68.
Pierre DeClue, who as a youth played basketball for Coach Wainright, is now the Caring Communities coordinator for LINC program at Melcher Elementary School that Wainright led for many years.
“It's a blessing to continue Mr. Wainright's Legacy,” DeClue wrote to the Suns in gratitude. “We greatly appreciate your support while continuing to impact our youth here in Kansas City, Missouri.”