Above: Samuel Dalembert
By the Caribbean Journal staff
NBA center Samuel Dalembert, who was born in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince, has been traded from the Houston Rockets to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Rockets announced Wednesday.
Dalembert, who played a strong part in relief efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, was traded for the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft along with forward Jon Brockman, forward Jon Leuer and guard Shaun Livingston.
In 2010, Dalembert earned the J Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, for his relief efforts in Haiti.
The Bucks also received a future second-round pick, the 14th overall pick in Thursday’s draft and cash considerations.
Dalembert averaged 7.5 points, 7 rebounds and 1.71 blocks in 65 games in his only season with Houston.
He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers out of Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He started playing basketball while living in Montreal, Canada.
He signed a two-year contract with the Rockets in December 2011 after the NBA lockout concluded.
Dalembert founded the Samuel Dalembert Foundation, which aims to “better the lives of the people of Haiti and children throughout the world.”
The foundation has supported Haiti through partnerships with UNICEF, the Red Cross and Feed the Children among other organizations.
In February, it was announced that Dalembert had donated more than $650,000 for relief efforts in Haiti.