Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Sport: Basketball

Danielle Robinson

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  Czech Republic

Born in San Jose, CA Danielle has enjoyed a lengthy career in both the WNBA and Europe. Heading into her 12th season in the W, she is really looking forward to being a part of the Atlanta Dream and helping the organization continue to grow. She has traveled and played all around the world with Prague being her favorite stop of her time overseas. I’m her 3 years in Prague she won the Euroleague title in 2015, a memory her mom was able to experience with her. She’s so thankful for all that the game has given her and is even more excited to be able to share it with the next generation!

Alysha Clark

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Tanzania

Alysha Angelica Clark is an American-Israeli professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Azurá Stevens

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Mexico

Azurá Breeona Stevens is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Stevens played collegiately for the Duke Blue Devils
and the Connecticut Huskies. She was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

Monique Billings

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Mexico

Fashion-forward, athletic, cultured, and full of personality. all of these traits describe WNBA player Monique Billings. Born May 2nd, Billings was drafted into the 2018 WNBA draft class. Being afforded the opportunity to do what she loves in playing basketball, traveling the world, Broadcasting, and inspiring others, Billings takes advantage of every opportunity that is presented to her. always looking to inspire and empower others, Monique Billings aims to be a voice and light For women and girls trying to figure out life just like she is.

Imani McGee-Stafford

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Singapore

Imani McGee-Stafford is a WNBA player, abuse survivor, mental health advocate, and poet. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Accounting from The McCombs School of Business.
At Texas, she left her name in the record books becoming the first UT women’s basketball player to garner over 1000 points, 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks. She was drafted 10th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft to the Chicago Sky and has since played for the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. She has also played professionally overseas in Turkey, China, Israel, Australia, and Lebanon.

While her 6’7” frame made her presence felt on the court, she left her biggest impact off the court when she chose to speak out about her struggles with mental health and overcoming her abusive childhood on SportsCenter in a segment called SC Featured: Her Voice.

In college, she stumbled across her life purpose: providing a voice to the silenced. She now takes every opportunity she can to live in her truth and hopefully provide light to those going through or who have been through the same struggles.

In the spring of 2020, she announced that she is stepping away for the next two WNBA seasons to pursue a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

Al-Farouq Aminu

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Singapore

Al-Farouq Aminu is a professional basketball player who last played for the Chicago Bulls. A native of Atlanta, Aminu was a highly rated recruit who chose to attend Wake Forest University. While at Wake, he excelled and landed on the ACC All-Freshman team. After his first year on campus, he declared for the 2010 NBA Draft. Aminu was selected 8th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers and within 8 games had notched his first 20-point contest. In 2011, he was traded to the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, where he spent the next four seasons. Aminu went on to have stints with the Mavericks, Trail Blazers, Magic and most recently the Bulls. He also plays internationally for the Nigerian national basketball team.

Kirby Burkholder

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Albania

I was born and raised in small town Bridgewater, Virginia. I started my basketball career at Turner Ashby High School where I hold the all-time scoring and rebounding records, and have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I continued my career at James Madison University, winning 2 CAA championships and holding CAA Player of the Year honors. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports and Recreation Management.

After graduating, I played 9 years professionally, mainly overseas. I played in Italy (2 years), Belgium, Hungary (3 years), Poland, and Puerto Rico. I was also part of the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited, a new up and coming Women’s Professional Sports League in the United States. I will continue to play in season two this year and currently serve on the AU Player Executive Committee for women’s basketball.

Since retiring from playing overseas, I have worked in various youth basketball organizations gearing towards providing guidance, training, and leadership to youth sports initiatives. I am currently working with Slam City Management Group: one of 16 flagship programs of the Jr. NBA. Slam City works with local youth to provide opportunities to grow on and off the court through training and team programs, and is also connected to international federations by way of USA Basketball and FIBA to bring students to the US to gain higher educational and playing experience. I am dedicated and engaged to bring more awareness and support especially to women and girls in sports and providing them with more opportunities.

Bob Mackinnon, Jr.

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Mexico

BOB MACKINNON has 35 plus years of experience coaching at the Collegiate and Professional levels, including eight seasons as a Head Coach in the NBA G League. In his first year in the G-League, MacKinnon coached the Colorado 14ers to a 34-16 regular season record and ultimately the 2008-09 D-League Championship.

MacKinnon then went on to coach the Idaho Stampede and Springfield Armor (in his first season in Springfield, he led the Armor to a League record turn around; going from 8 wins the season before to 29 wins), before landing in Los Angles with the Lakers Affiliate. In the 2013-14 season, MacKinnon led the development of three Lakers assignees, while boasting four NBA Call-Ups from the D-Fenders. MacKinnon also coached in China, as the Head Coach of the CBA’s Tianjin Team in 2010 – 11. Additionally, he was selected to run the G-League’s Elite Mini-Camp and National Tryouts for the seven years.
MacKinnon completed his third season as the Head Coach of the Dallas Mavericks affiliate, the Texas Legends in 2020; in his first season with the Legends he led the team to franchise records in NBA Call-ups (5), wins (25) & attendance. In his second season, the Legends led the League again in Call-ups (7), had another win’s record (29), & topped their attendance mark yet again. Over the course of his 8 years in the G League, MacKinnon’s teams have always finished in top 3 in the league in scoring, pace of play, rebounding, steals and assists. MacKinnon is the All-time leader in the NBA G League history in both Call-ups (28) & Wins (207 – the only coach in NBA G League history to record over 200 wins).

MacKinnon’s career began at the Collegiate level at King’s College in Pennsylvania where he played four seasons and got his first coaching opportunity in 1982. He would go on to Coach at the Collegiate level for 25 years starting as an Assistant Coach at Mercyhurst College (1982-85), followed by George Washington University (1985-90), and Niagara University (1990-97), before he was named the Head Coach of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1997. MacKinnon led the Mariners to two Skyline Conference Championships, securing consecutive NCAA tournament bids, and earning Skyline Conference Coach of the Year in 1999. He then joined the staff at the University of Notre Dame (1999-2000) as an Assistant Coach, followed by being named an Assistant Coach at the University of North Carolina (2000-03), before becoming the Senior Assistant Coach at Marshall University (2003-07).

MacKinnon is a world-renowned Basketball Clinician. He has Directed or spoken at over 300 camps/clinics in 18 countries. He works with the NBA in many of their overseas programs, and with the Tel-Mex foundation in Mexico directing camps for Coaches and youth programs alike. MacKinnon is also a certified trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance in the United States. He leads and directs workshops for PCA, as they attempt to enhance the culture of Youth Sports in the United States.

Edniesha Curry

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Palestinian Territories

Edniesha Curry is currently an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers in 2021-22. Curry joins the coaching staff from the University of Maine where she was an assistant coach with the men’s basketball team from 2018-21. She previously served as a player development and assistant coach for the Maine women’s basketball program from 2015-17. Curry is a graduate of the NBA Assistant Coaches’ Program where she gained experience working at the NBA Draft Combine and the NBA G League Showcase. In 2019, Curry served as a guest coach for San Antonio’s summer league team and assisted with Minnesota’s pre-draft workouts. She has also coached and done player development work internationally in Vietnam, China, Israel, and Palestine. As a player, Curry played in the WNBA for Phoenix and Los Angeles along with teams overseas in Greece, Poland, Israel, and Hungary from 2002-09. Curry is a graduate of University of Oregon, where she played the final two seasons of her college career. She is the proud daughter of Edward and Bertha Curry and Jenoah Haywood-Curry and sister to five siblings.

Over her long coaching career, Curry has consistently delivered leadership, training, and mentoring to student athletes as well as former professional NBA and WNBA athletes. This experience comes from Curry’s work with FIBA, NCAA, and NBA programs. Curry’s expertise on collaborating business and basketball has afforded opportunities to interface with key marketing and leadership staff within these organizations. Curry is a dedicated advocate for the physical, mental, and social development of sport organizations, people, and athletes all over the world.

Stephen Howard

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Palestinian Territories
  • 2022  –  Virtual
  • 2023  –  Indonesia
  • 2024  –  Sri Lanka

Stephen Howard: NBA player, Leadership Expert, ESPN & FOX Sports College Basketball Analyst, Collegiate All-American.

Stephen coaches leaders, organizations, and executives an astonishing game-changing plan for breakthrough success. If you’re ready to take your team to the next level you’ll want to hear the extraordinary story of how Stephen discovered the three steps that position sports teams and business organizations to become the leading edge, champions in their field even in times of dynamic change.

Stephen received accolades early in his career and made it to the top in academics, athletics, and as a leadership expert. At DePaul University, he was the first and last member of the men’s basketball team to be named First Team Academic All-American and as a senior earned the prestigious Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award which is given annually to the nation’s premier scholar-athlete. Stephen played four years in the NBA for the Seattle Supersonics, San Antonio Spurs, and the Utah Jazz, including the 1996-1997 Jazz team that went to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

After the NBA, Stephen lived in 12 different countries including France, Spain, China, and Israel immersing himself in the unique cultures of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He then joined ESPN and FOX Sports as a college basketball analyst, earned a Master of Organizational Leadership, and travels the world empowering individuals and organizations with strategies and concepts to enhance their performance, productivity, and profitability and leave a legacy. In 2021, Stephen began working in the DE&I space as a consultant with the NBA Academy and MLS (Major League Soccer) in addition to his work as a Sports Envoy to the Sports Diplomacy Division of the U.S. Department of State.