Barack Obama, President-elect of the United States, is not the only basketballer who experienced sweet electoral success last week.

Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns, is mayor-elect of Sacramento, California state capital.

Johnson, a 42-year-old Sac native, founded a non-profit organisation called St Hope in one of his hometown's poorest neighbourhoods several years ago. The mission was simple – take over the administration of Sacramento High School and improve it.

Johnson's can do approach – often hard-nosed – delivered. This year, five years after his organisation took charge, test scores and college acceptance rates are up. But not without criticism.

"He's a bully," said one former employee of the school.

As a former professional athlete, Johnson could argue results are all that matter. He won the mayoral race by 15 percentage points. Like many NBA stars (past or present), he's not shy to talk himself up.

"Both Obama and myself, we ran on a promise and a theme of change," Johnson said.

"No more business as usual. Let's buck the status quo - a different kind of government."

Down in Texas, Houston Rockets shooting guard Tracy McGrady spent his off-season a little different to some teammates. McGrady, who some call "The Lord of Terror", travelled to Chad.

Where?

Chad.

Why?

One reason – because he could. Second – because he wanted to meet refugees from Darfur.

"I kept hearing about Darfur, and I decided I wanted to go over there and see for myself," he explained.

The result, in part, is a documentary called "3 Points" about his trip to visit refugee camps that McGrady hopes will raise awareness about the on-going crisis in the region.

McGrady also plans to build schools for kids in camps and establish an internet project where American schoolkids can connect with people their own age from Darfur.

But hold on.

Aren't basketball stars, heck, all sports stars, just about The Show and bling?

"Some of the players need to be educated," McGrady says.

"But some of them are caring guys, know that something has to be done and are willing to help."

And McGrady?

"I was touched, really touched by the children," he said.

"There are so many children and families suffering there."


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