By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LaZelle Durden comes from a family of star athletes in Toledo that's known just as much for its kind hearts. So it's little surprise the former University of Cincinnati sharpshooter is taking aim at helping underprivileged kids.

Father Roy is a retired reverend. Mother Earleen works at the University of Toledo in multicultural student development. Brother Roy Jr. does psychotherapy work with children. Sister Lamonica is a social worker. Brother Manny plans to open a day-care center.

And LaZelle has helped Roy Jr. found a non-profit organization in Toledo to mentor at-risk kids.

The fact that all the Durden siblings played sports in college is incidental, LaZelle said, to the work each does now.

"We remember how our dad would work with kids," he said. "To reach a point in my life when I can help kids, it's what I wanted to do."

The organization is called 3D and RROPE Inc., an acronym for "dedications, determination and discipline; respect, responsibility, openness, perspective and empathy." That's what Roy Jr. and his 18-person staff try to teach through presentations to school-aged kids in Toledo.

LaZelle, who led UC in scoring in both the 1993-94 and '94-95 seasons, played two years in the CBA and three in Europe. Upon his return, he has spent the past two years helping his brother found 3D.

Durden, 31, who lives in Cincinnati, is 3D's regional director of marketing and its success coach and said he spends more than half the year in Toledo. In his speeches, he uses his athletic career as a model. His brother's talks educate kids on drugs and other dangers. There are also three other 3D speakers.

"My brother sees them (in therapy) at the end of the road, where they've (overdosed) or they're on drugs," Durden said. "We try to make them realize their choices impact other people, and to be responsible."

The Durdens are raising funds for a building where kids can explore their creative outlets, and they hope to expand 3D one day to other cities, including Cincinnati.