PRESS COVERAGE: CHARLIE VILLANUEVA

by E. Spencer Kyte, Bugs and Cranks

Kids can be cruel, we all know that. They'll find anything imaginable to make fun of you about, from the clothes you wear to how frequently you pick your nose. They even take you to task about your first name, which you don't use, just because no one thinks Edgar is a cool name.

Imagine what it would be like to grow up as a kid without hair. Not a kid who shaves his head mind you, but who has an autoimmune disorder that results in hair loss on the scalp and/or other parts of the body.

Charlie Villanueva knows that life.

Villanueva, the Milwaukee Bucks forward, falls into the 1.7% of the population who suffers from Alopecea Areata. Onset of the disease usually occurs in childhood, which means besides dealing with all the awkwardness of puberty, cliques at school and general disinterest in your parents, you can have anything from a small, smooth bald spot to complete and total hair loss as Villanueva does.

On the court, questions and stares have been a part of Villanueva's life for some time too. That's what happens when you're an All-American forward in high school, teaming with Luol Deng at Blair Academy and declaring for the 2003 NBA Draft.

In an untraditional move, Villanueva actually decided not to go straight to the NBA from high school, opting instead to take his talents to Storrs, Connecticut to learn under Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun and team with Emeka Okafer, Ben Gordon en route to winning the 2004 NCAA Men's National Basketball Championship.

After a sophomore season in which Villanueva led the Huskies in scoring and rebounding, he declared for the 2005 NBA Draft. When draft day arrived, the talking heads had a lot to say about the Toronto Raptors spending the 7th Overall choice on the 6'11" Villanueva.

Stephen A. Smith was the most vocal, blasting then-Raptors GM Rob Babcock for the decision. Instead of crumbling under the weight of great expectations and media scrutiny, Villanueva responded by finishing second in rookie scoring and rebounding, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team and finishing as the runner-up to Chris Paul for the Rookie of the Year Award.

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but serious, Stephen A., who was Toronto supposed to draft? Channing Frye, Ike Diogu, Fran Vazqueez? Maybe Yaroslav Korolev, Sean May or Hakim Warrick? Only two players picked post-Villanueva (Andrew Bynum and Danny Granger) could be logical arguments now. Sadly, the Raptors passed on Granger twice...

Villanueva's abilities on the court have given him the opportunity to make a difference off the court. He is the Spokesperson for the National Alopecea Areata Foundation and uses his own foundation to provide financial and emotional support to adolescents growing up with Alopecea.

The February 2006 recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award has made a life of overcoming obstacles. Having pundits challenge your selection to your profession is nothing when you've grown up being the kid with no hair. And just like I could look at Edgar Martinez as proof that my name wasn't as stupid as Jeff Arthur said it was, Charlie Villanueva provides an outstanding role model for people everywhere suffering with Alopecea.

This is what we need to report on. These are the stories that need to be told and the lives that need to be looked at. This is worthy of Press Coverage...