It takes a diehard basketball fan (or at the very least, a fan of the Golden State Warriors) to recognize who Dorell Wright is. To give you a quick breakdown, Wright was a former first round pick (all the way back in 2004) of the Miami Heat who this past season, his first in the Bay Area, averaged 16.4 points and 1.5 steals a game, indicative of a solid all-around game after numerous seasons of subpar numbers. Playing with Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, and David Lee, he is part of a young, dynamic nucleus for a Warriors team that will be coached by the energetic Mark Jackson.

But beyond that, Dorell Wright is a downright admirable human being.

This past Tuesday, November 22nd, Wright helped the city of Oakland's Hunger Program organize it's twentieth annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and underprivelaged. An estimated 2,100 people were provided with a free meal at the event thanks to Wright and his D Wright Way Foundation, which also provided approximately 2000 jackets. Not only did Wright and his girlfriend, Mia Wright, provide the city with the funds and the provisions to carry out this act of charity, they both took the time to attend the event and walk amongst those people who attended the dinner.

Wright's act of charity defies each and every stereotype placed upon the current generation of basketball players. Here is a man who was more than willing to give his own money to a cause that the city of Oakland couldn't squeeze into its multimillion dollar budget. While some would cynically point to the fact that Wright has the money to donate to events like this, remember that with the NBA under lockout, Wright is currently without a job, and has already lost his first paycheck for the 2011-2012 season, with more lost paychecks on the horizon. To be able to afford this selfless act in that context signifies not only a generous heart, but someone who has managed his finances well to prepare for the upcoming lockout.

The icing on the cake for all those who are repulsed by the "millionaire" players who are a crucial component to the league's current work stoppage? Wright was drafted straight out of high school. 

This was a man who was supposed to be reckless. This was a man who was supposed to be immature. This was a man who spent his five seasons in Miami battling injuries and drastically underperforming, who should have flamed out and disappeared from the league, but has resiliently fought his way back into a starting job for a team with a bright future, and has integrity and ethics to go along with a solid game.

Dorell Wright has himself a new supporter and fan thanks to his actions this past week. And hopefully, he'll make you think long and hard before you try to typecast the players who make  up the NBA.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag2loVZZ1nwVn3Xm5Z4.6bK8vLYF?slug=mc-spears_dorell_wright_nba_lockout_thanksgiving_112311