What to know about NBA Star Donnell Harvey, Dad to Love Island’s Aniya

Who Is Donnell Harvey? Donnell Harvey is a retired NBA player who entered the league in 2000 after being drafted as a first-round pick by the New York Knicks. Donnell was then traded to play for the Dallas Mavericks for his first season. As Aniya shared on Love Island USA, Donnell went on to hoop for many teams throughout his career, including the Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns and the New Jersey Nets until 2005.

Following his successful career in the U.S., Donnell took the opportunity to play basketball abroad. When speaking of his international experience from China to Turkey to Greece, Donnell told The Albany Herald in 2022, "I’ve been fortunate enough to travel with teams to Europe and Asia and see different parts of the world." Since retiring from professional sports, Donnell has launched a non-profit to help kids in need achieve their dreams. What Is Donnell Harvey's charity? Donnell runs the Reconstructing Youth Foundation, which helps provide resources for youth communities across America.

Donnell explained to the Albany Herald that his organization's mission is to help kids who come from humble beginnings like himself "see there is a big world out there and help them learn how to succeed in that big world—things like teaching them how to write a check and things they don’t understand." For Donnell, this charity is his chance to pay it forward by making a difference for kids across the country. "Sometimes all it takes is to get someone to notice you," the 45-year-old said. "It is important that parents give their children the opportunities to be noticed.”