PHOENIX SUNS

JaVale McGee on charity softball game, end to season, future with Suns

May 27, 2022, 5:30 PM | Updated: 10:04 pm

PHOENIX — It was not where you would have picked JaVale McGee to be a month ago.

On Friday afternoon at Chase Field prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ tilt against the Los Angeles Dodgers, McGee took some batting practice, snagged some fly balls and got some long toss in ahead of his first pitch to promote his sixth annual Water For Life Charity Softball Game on June 22 at the ballpark.

The night prior, the Golden State Warriors won the Western Conference, defeating a Dallas Mavericks team that knocked McGee’s Phoenix Suns out of the playoffs.

That’s just how it goes, and the three-time champion with 14 NBA seasons under his belt knows that better than most.

“I’m the type of person where whatever happens, happens for a reason — it’s supposed to happen. But unfortunately I didn’t want that to happen,” McGee told Arizona Sports on Friday. “That Game 7, we definitely didn’t show up the way we should have but that’s the tide that’s turned. That’s how things happen.

“Good luck to Dallas and now they lost to Golden State so good luck to Golden State. It’s just part of basketball.”

McGee will continue to build up his relationship with the Valley via the softball game, one that will raise money for the Juglife Foundation. Since 2013, the foundation McGee co-founded promotes a healthy and active lifestyle through drinking water.

When McGee got to the NBA, one of the first things his mother preached to him was philanthropy. He took part in the usual turkey drives for Thanksgiving and handing out presents on Christmas but the foundation was a huge step forward to doing even more.

The Juglife Foundation has helped get six water wells set up in Uganda and is in the process of putting a sports complex there as well.

“We’re just doing a lot of things on that side of the world that people tend to forget about,” McGee said. “Third world countries that really need our help and that’s just what we’re passionate about.”

Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson, Chris Paul, Cam Payne and Ish Wainright are the teammates McGee will have playing in the game at Chase Field you can purchase tickets to here.

“I just want the fans to come out and have fun and really enjoy the team because we had a great season like I said this year,” McGee said. “So just something other than basketball. It’s a great experience and every team I’ve done it with, it’s been a great turnout and everybody loves it. I’m excited.”

The question is if those will be McGee’s teammates next year. The 34-year-old is an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason. He joins Deandre Ayton (restricted) and Bismack Biyombo (unrestricted) as free agent centers on last year’s roster, and with the only player on the books for next season being the injured Dario Saric, there’s a lot of uncertainty around the position.

McGee spoke highly of his time in Phoenix throughout the year and said the Suns are on the list of teams he’d consider.

“Definitely consider it, definitely consider an opportunity,” he said. “At this point in my career, I’m definitely focused on myself and what’s best for me and my situation and my family. I know what I bring to a team if it’s any organization that I go to. For me, that’s what it’s all about. Make sure I’m valuing myself as much as the team (is) valuing me.”

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

14 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

19 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

JaVale McGee on charity softball game, end to season, future with Suns