Mourning's parents divorced when he was 11 and soon after that he put himself into care. He had a number of foster homes but eventually found a permanent family, where he stayed until he went to university.

The 6'10" (2.08m) tall center played first for the Charlotte Hornets and was a member of the US Dream Team for 1994. He now plays for the Miami Heat.

He spends much of his free time helping at a home for neglected and abused children.

References

Who's Who in America, 1996
Gutman, Bill. Alonzo Mourning: Center of Attention. (Brookfield: Millbrook Press, 1997) (Millbrook Sports World)
"Career Profile 33: Alonzo Mourning." Available at: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/profile/alonzo_mourning_cp.html
"Alonzo Mourning." Available at: http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/players/845/
Rosenthal, Bert. Alonzo Mourning. (Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 1998) (Basketball Legends)

Indexes

African
USA
20th Century
21st Century
Sports
Formal, American/European-Type Fostering
School-age Years, Adolescence
Parental Relationship Breakdown, Divorce
Adoptee's/fosteree's Initiative
Others ("Strangers")
Disrupted or Failed Placements
Parents Separated or Divorced