Duck Richards shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Duck, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Of Course Integrity!
There’s a lot of intelligent people in this world filled with lots of energy who are not honest people. Integrity is the backbone of one’s character. I believe in being honest and truthful in all walks of life. My parents raised me to be this way and I instilled the same quality into my own kids.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Duck Richards, CEO of the Atlanta Aliens ABA Pro Basketball Team. I’ve been coaching basketball on all levels for the past 37 years. Seventeen years ago after coaching college basketball, I was presented the opportunity to be a part of the American Basketball Association (ABA). I was hired with ZERO pro basketball experience. They thought I would be a great fit with the team so they took a chance. I have since been promoted twice and have won nearly 200 games (one of the highest active coach winning percentage in ABA Pro Basketball). Sometimes people just need a chance. I went from being the Head Coach to General Manager and now the CEO of the team. A young kid from Griffin, Georgia who had a dream to play pro basketball, but God’s plan went up above and beyond.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother, Ruby Hillman Richards. She was the woman who saw my passion as a child for basketball and convinced my dad to buy me a basketball goal when I was 12yrs old. Her words of encouragement meant the world to me because she believed in me. She spoke life into me daily. The abundance of happiness carried over from home into school which made it easier for me to excel in my academics. No matter how many times I failed in basketball as a player, my mom always remained positive with the can do attitude. She gave me the will power to never quit and always be a competitor on and off the court. One year after becoming the CEO of Atlanta Aliens, my mother went home to glory. I thank God that He allowed her to witness the success she created in me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stay focused and trust the process. As you grow, you will encounter multiple options and several distractions, but I encourage you to set goals, plan accordingly and stand on it. Your vision belongs to you. It was not seen by anyone else eyes but yours. During the process, have patience, and don’t rush anything. Regardless of what you choose to do, always put God first.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The ABA League pays all of the team operation expenses
Atlanta Aliens seek Strategic Investors to invest in their Georgia’s Top ABA Pro Basketball Team. Each season the Atlanta Aliens need strategic investors as it plans to grow it’s basketball presence across the continent. The game of basketball is incredibly inspirational and it has shown me how sports can be a transformative method of helping foster peace as well as an economic engine for social economic development. I deeply believe in the ABA’s commitment to youth empowerment and helping young men dreams come true as a professional athlete.
Recently, Forest Whitaker joined Dr. Dambisa Mayo and President Barrack Obama as a strategic partner in the newly formed Basketball Africa League (BAL). NBA Africa handles the business affairs for the NBA and their interest in Africa. The Atlanta Aliens does not receive any financial support from the American Basketball Association (ABA). Interested Strategic Investors willing to invest in the Atlanta Aliens to help grow their game should contact Coach Duck Richards via email AtlantaAliens@gmail.com
To learn more about the team visit the team website www.AtlantaAliens.org
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That Coach Duck Richards used his Pro Basketball team as a platform tp give the average players in the local community an opportunity to measure their skills against true veteran pros. I pray that Coach Duck is remembered for helping kids in the community who were in need of a chance to play basketball. Kids either joined Coach Duck University (age 5-12), Griffin Grasshoppers Elite (age 13-17) or Atlanta Aliens Pro Basketball (age 18 and up). Coach Duck changed lives “One Dribble at a Time.” That’s the Legacy of Coach Duck!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AtlantaAliens.com
- Instagram: @Alanta_Aliens
- Linkedin: @Duck Richards
- Twitter: @AliensAtlanta
- Facebook: @AtlantaAliens
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