They may not always get the recognition they deserve, but WNBA players are even more positive role models for their work off the court. Even when it takes place halfway around the world.

But for Phoenix Mercury guard Nikki McCray, who recently traveled to Soweto, South Africa as a representative of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program, the takeaway was just as formidable as the messages of hope that she brought. Along with actor/comedian Chris Tucker and their families, the veteran of seven WNBA seasons visited the Ithuteng Trust on behalf of the WNBA and NBA.

The Ithuteng Trust, located in Pimville -- a poverty-stricken township of Soweto -- is a "youth empowerment program" that works to provide at-risk youth with life skills and education. Most of the 3,000 youngsters at the school come from extremely poor families, and a majority are orphans due to political violence, crime and/or AIDS. The founder and spiritual leader of the Trust is a woman named Jackey Maarohanye, affectionately known as "Mama Jackey" by the students.

Ithuteng translates to mean "never stop learning." For McCray, the term could not have been more accurate.

McCray walked all over the town and got a chance to see the students' home environments.

"The NBA contacted me because they thought it might be a great experience for me as someone who is very giving and loving and spiritual," she said after her return. "I have a day care center, so I love kids and am great with them. I'm the type of person who can really go anywhere and fit right in."

McCray has fit in wherever she has been, whether is it was the four seasons with the Washington Mystics, two with the Indiana Fever or the past year as a member of the Phoenix Mercury after signing one of the first unrestricted free agent contracts in league history one year ago.

But why make the long trans-Atlantic flight for a just a few days in South Africa?

"These kids have been through some trying times, so we talked with them about staying focused, staying positive," McCray said. "A lot of these children do not have anyone who is so willing to give all of themselves to help them like Mama Jackey. They have to stick together and get the most they possibly can out of their time at the school."

It was a long way from Collierville, Tenn., where the three-time WNBA All-Star was born.

"This was my first time ever in Africa," McCray said. "I always wanted to go and had seen it on television, but I didn't really know what to expect. It is just so beautiful. The weather was great and the people are so friendly and loving. The students, all of whom are so full of hope and promise, made me feel like I was a queen from the day I got off the plane to the day I left. It was unbelievable how caring and fulfilled they all were."

McCray, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been all around the world for basketball, but this journey was quite qifferent.

"It doesn't compare to any other place or trip that I have been on," she said. "This is one of those trips where you are fortunate to go, see and experience all that we did. The kids were full of love and joy. Usually when I travel for basketball, I see the most beautiful parts of the world and have people cater to our every need. This trip was nothing like that at all. We got to a school and had no idea what to expect. All we wanted to do was be with these kids. There aren't too many places where you can go and experience fellowship for five straight days."

"The most inspirational thing for me was the church service on Sunday morning. It was unbelievably spiritual. The kids took us around Soweto and showed us their environment. We walked about 15 miles. It was great. We went from the school to Nelson Mandela's first house growing up, which is now a museum."

Since the first Basketball without Borders Africa Camp in 2003, the NBA and WNBA remains committed to the children at Ithuteng and to the work of Mama Jackey. Last fall, several past and present NBA players visited the school and spent time with the children. Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo was so moved that he pledged $100,000 to the Ithuteng Trust on the spot, the largest single donation the Trust has ever received from an individual or a foundation.

McCray and Tucker at Mandela's childhood home, now a museum.

"Chris and I know so many people through our own walks of life in sports and entertainment that can actually help out," the unrestricted free agent said. "Our goal is to do a charity event back home so we can help raise money. Chris is getting two buses and wants to build another classroom and dorm for Mama Jackey's kids."

Through the NBA/WNBA partnership, the Trust has built a Reading & Learning Center with new books and computers, dormitories and a new basketball court. The United States government also recently made a donation to the Trust as well. All of the money that continues to be raised will go a long way in ensuring the Trust can build on its 14-year history of helping the underprivileged local youngsters.

"I'm hoping that I get to go back. I know Mama Jackey wants me to come back in September when the NBA returns," she said. "This is something that I could do once a year. These kids are just so amazing. They are just a part of my family now. I would have never expected that."

Immediately after returning from the trip, Tucker served as the host for the 36th annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Among the honorees were Oprah Winfrey, Prince, Jamie Foxx… and Mama Jackey.

"Chris flew 21 kids back with us to Los Angeles, and we spent a lot of time together there. We sang and prayed and shared a lot with each other. It was like Africa all over again."