From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: D-Will scores several assists at Salt Lake school
"This is a school, not a sports center," the boy said to the tall visitor who was wearing a baseball cap, basketball shoes and gym shorts.
Williams laughed and was hardly bothered that the boy didn't know (or maybe care) that he is an NBA star. They then chatted for a minute about sea monsters and other important stuff.
The Olympic gold medalist also read Dr. Seuss books, helped preschool-age kids measure themselves on a growth chart, goofed off a bit on the playground, shook hands and greeted autistic students by name while he was briefed about the Valley Mental Health-sponsored program.
Williams wanted to take a tour of the center, located down the street from the University of Utah, because it is one of the charities that will benefit from the second-annual Deron Williams Celebrity Golf Classic that he'll host on Sept. 22 at Thanksgiving Point.
"It was just good to come and see the kids and get a chance to interact with them," Williams said. "One of my cousins also has autism, so I'm very familiar with the (developmental disorder) and how much it's affecting people today.
A father of two, Williams had fun interacting with the children. When a girl with curly hair stepped up to the 6-foot-high growth chart, where he helped the teacher mark the kids' height, Williams joked: "Should I measure your hair, too?" He later had to pick the girl up so she could put her hand on top of his head to mark his height with a rocket cutout. The 6-foot- 3 Williams, by the way, was off the chart.
A moment later, Williams volunteered to read "The Ear Book" and "The Nose Book" to the 10 children.
"They're fun kids to be around, great kids, very energetic, very loving," Williams said. "We all had a blast."
Pete Nicholas, the center's director, appreciated how friendly Williams treated the students, even though most had no clue who he was.
"He was laughing and having a great time. We ought to hire him as one of our aides here," Nicholas said. "It's phenomenal to have somebody of his stature want to help out the school with development and growth."
E-mail: jody@desnews.com
Recent comments
WOW ITS AMAZING HOW SUCH A FAMOUS PERSON COULD DO SUCH WONDERFUL...
REMI SEPULVEDA | Sept. 16, 2008 at 12:48 p.m.
As a Father of and Autistic 4 year-old I was truly touch by this...
Terry D | Sept. 15, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
I love the jazz and DWILL!!!
Jazz Fan | Sept. 14, 2008 at 7:36 p.m.
Rebecca Lund, right, stands on a chair to measure Deron Williams of the Jazz Tuesday during a growth-chart activity at the Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children With Autism. Williams, who was actually off the chart at 6-foot-3, toured the center because it will benefit from the Deron Williams Celebrity Golf Classic on Sept. 22.
- MLS: Dynamo, Galaxy advance 9:21 p.m.
- Utahns split over war in Afghanistan 9:21 p.m.
- Probe heating up in the rampage 9:16 p.m.
- Health-care bill could sink in Senate 9:15 p.m.
- Hope for single moms 9:14 p.m.
- Utah Jazz Extra: Starting Five 9:12 p.m.
- Photos: Fall fun in the sun 9:12 p.m.
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not 9:11 p.m.
- Heritage foundation names advocate 9:11 p.m.
- Poignant holiday for WWII veteran 9:10 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
195 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
150 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
125 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
99 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
Doesn't if make you feel the least bit guilty to force your neighbors to pay...
The latest affirmative action election is a painful lesson. Next time let's...
Fool me once - Shame on you Fool me twice - Shame on me Fool me three times...
nice half time adjustments.
will be the hottest ticket going this weekend. You better get there early or...
I just want to give a shout out to all the commentators on the radio this...
Pagan: The APA and AAP have made some statements that are known to be...
We are going to whip you UTES like a rented mule this Saturday!
How ridiculous. It's not even a trashy nose ring, she has it because it's a...
Traded in my daughters gas guzzling clunker for a compact car. Best...

