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Having clean air to breathe is critical in confined spaces. Former Enloe High School basketball star Chris Wilcox is distributing a potentially game-changing device that's FDA approved. Houston company Integrated Viral Protection developed this air purification system that claims to kill nearly 100% of airborne SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The heated filter works in conjunction with HVAC systems or a mobile device. Of course, there is a cost. That's where Wilcox comes in. He launched a distribution company when the pandemic began aimed at getting personal protective equipment into the hands of those underserved. "We want to reach where it's needed and a lot of these products won't get to see our community, so I'm just trying to bring awareness and trying to bring some products that are beneficial and they are FDA approved," Wilcox said.
From Enloe High School to Maryland and the NBA. Chris Wilcox was known for his fierce play and protecting the paint. Now, he wants to protect his community, the Triangle, from COVID-19. "Where I'm from, the community invested in me," Wilcox said. "I could go to anyone of my neighbors' houses, go get a meal, all the doors were open. Basically what I try to do is open those same doors for my community."
When the coronavirus pandemic broke out, Wilcox started “Wilcox Distribution” as a way to get PPE distributed to under-served communities. "When I (saw) the prices of masks, gloves, shields and things like that, I was like 'hold on now'," Wilcox said. "There's got to be a way to get good products into the communities because we can't afford to pay premium prices for some of that stuff."
Two months after Green's surgery, then-Boston teammate Chris Wilcox needed the same procedure for the same heart ailment. Svensson performed both. Recalling Green's condition at the time -- Svensson said he's treated five NBA players -- the heart specialist said "when I saw his aorta and opening him up and saw how thin it was and it was translucent, my heart sort of skipped a beat. "Thank goodness we were able to operate on him before something serious happened," Svensson said. "I have no doubt things would've progressed rapidly with really serious consequences if he hadn't had surgery."
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Lamar Odom remains the leading candidate to be signed by the Los Angeles Clippers to fill the opening they have in their frontcourt rotation. By far. But there's at least one other known name on the Clippers' list behind Odom in terms of potential in-season signees: Chris Wilcox.
Wilcox, who will host a golf tournament in Wake Forest, N.C., next week to benefit the American Heart Association and Lupus Foundation of America, is hoping for another chance in the NBA, but jobs for aging veterans are drying up. And Wilcox has not been able to avoid injuries the past few seasons. “At this point I’m just trying to get right, just trying to be ready, I don’t know what’s going to happen this year,” he said. “Last season [coming off heart surgery] was tough because I didn’t know what to expect. I was kind of preparing myself like, well if Jeff [Green] can do it, then I can do it. Jeff was further along than me [in his recovery] and it kind of messed with me mentally because I’m like, ‘Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I do that?’ I was just trying to come back and I came back as soon as I could.”
This summer, Wilcox said he has been biking and has trimmed down. He is just 30 years old despite having played 11 NBA seasons. As a backup center, he could be an asset for another five years, but Wilcox’s motor and basketball IQ have come into question in recent years. Add to that a market that may only allow Wilcox to join a team on a training camp invitation and a return may be difficult. “I am open to going overseas,” he said. “At the same time, I would love to stay here in the NBA. If it’s something that I have to do, then I’ll do it.”
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Also on the market is former Celtic Chris Wilcox, who said he would like to return to Boston, but that’s highly unlikely with the new regime. Wilcox said that recovering from aorta surgery affected him last season and he promised to be in better shape this season.
The Knicks have also expressed an interest in Brandan Wright, according to a source close to the player. But it's unlikely New York is the front-runner, because of financial reasons. Less expensive alternatives could include Lou Amundson, Earl Barron, Samuel Dalembert, Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox.
Wilcox will be a free agent on July 1 and it's questionable whether I will return to the Celtics. "Now is definitely a good time for me because I've had a chance to play, get contact during the whole season," I said. "I did not play a lot of minutes and I'm feeling good right now. So I've got a lot of extra-time to just to prepare and work on my game. This time that I have off right now is a time for me to grind and get my game right." Wilcox said he wants to return to the Celtics. "I definitely think I can help this team," I said. "This year I really was not able to show a lot of stuff that I can do, injuries and different things like that. But I do think I can help this team or get to a situation where I can help. "
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