My name is Nelson Keating, and together with my father Michael Keating, we had the honor of meeting NBA legend Billy Ray Bates about five years ago in Anaheim, CA. Billy took the NBA by storm in the early 1980s, dazzling fans with his explosive talent and earning the nickname “Black Superman.” Despite his incredible impact, his NBA career was short-lived, leaving him tragically just a few games shy of qualifying for an NBA pension.

In 2024, we petitioned the NBA to reconsider Billy’s case, hoping to secure the pension he rightfully deserves—but sadly, our request was denied.

Recently, Billy faced another setback when he was mistakenly reported as deceased on national television by the NBA on TNT show. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal promptly apologized for the misunderstanding, but it brought renewed attention to Billy’s current hardships.

Today, Billy Ray Bates is struggling financially and battling serious medical issues while living in state-assisted housing. Billy inspired countless fans in his prime; now, he needs our support more than ever.

Every donation helps Billy rebound from this tough situation, providing crucial assistance for medical bills, basic necessities, and restoring dignity to a basketball legend who gave us so much.

Let’s show Billy that he hasn’t been forgotten—join us in supporting Billy Ray Bates.

100% of all donations will be directly deposited to Billy's bank account. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.