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By Adam C.F. Winegarden

Hidden under the Kobe Bryant media frenzy is the story of Walter McCarty. McCarty signed a multi-year contract with the Boston Celtics this past week. Walter McCarty is not a household name anywhere but in Boston, MA. He has never made an All-Star team. He doesn’t have his own pair of sneakers. His jersey isn’t worn by millions of hoops hopefuls. But McCarty is worth some attention.

What Walter McCarty does have is the respect of Boston Celtics fans. Over the past few weeks, the question of whether McCarty would remain a Celtic has remained one of the top sports stories in the Boston area. The hustle, hard work and depth that McCarty has given to the both the team and the community should not be over-looked. He is the founder of the I Love Music Foundation, whose goal is to promote the positive values and importance of music by providing opportunities, resources and education for youth. McCarty has also displayed a loyalty to a team and a town by repeatedly stating that he wanted to remain in Boston. He has received several awards for his work in the community. In addition McCarty has displayed aptitude outside of the gym by releasing a CD of his own work, "Moment for Love." Portions of the profits from that CD were given to his foundation.

Walter McCarty is not a star. Walter McCarty is not a household name. But he's yet another cool, good NBA player worthy of some attention.