Harold Pressley learned early in his life about the importance of having a compassionate heart and giving spirit.

He saw numerous acts of generosity and kindness from his role models, including his parents and basketball coaches, Rich Pagliuca at St. Bernard and Rollie Massimino at Villanova.

His mother, Margaret, set the tone when they lived in Mystic.

"It all started obviously from my mom, the way she was when we were growing up, not having a lot of money but she never turned anyone away," Pressley said. "Anybody who needed some food, the door was always open to come over and have a meal.

"She was always passing out items to the people at her job at the commissary at the Sub Base. She would make all these fruit baskets and hand them to people in need. So I saw a lot of that growing up and it continued with my dad, Russell Means, coming into my life when I was about 12. The way that he took the kids in the community to the circus for the first time or to little picnics, it was just magnificent what he added to the family and how he treated others."

Pressley will forever be known for his basketball accomplishments, leading St. Bernard to its only two boys' basketball state titles (1981, 1982), winning a memorable national championship with Villanova in 1985 and then playing in the NBA.

But he's made a bigger and lasting impact dedicating his life to helping people in the Sacramento, Calif., community where he's resided since 1986.

Pressley, 56, is the president and founder of the Treat'em Like A King Foundation, which assists disadvantaged, at-risk and special needs children and their families. For example, the foundation provides back-to-school supplies, passes out gifts at an annual holiday party, and supplies tickets to area professional sporting events.

He also works as a community outreach liaison for the Highlands Community Charter and Trade School, which provides adult education and job training at no cost, primarily serving immigrants. He spent a day last week making sure students had laptops for remote learning.

The coronavirus crisis has presented some roadblocks, but he's still found a way to lend a hand.

"It makes it a little more difficult to do things right now because you can't go and be with people," Pressley said. "Right now, I've just been helping the neighborhood, trimming trees and cleaning up yards."

He lives in Citrus Heights, a short distance from Sacramento, with his wife Laura. They have four grown children — Ellis, Bryce, Brenden and Brianna. His parents also reside nearby.

He settled in the area after being drafted in the first round (17th overall) by Sacramento. He spent four years with the Kings and five years competing in Spain and France before his playing days ended.

The moment he arrived in Sacramento, he knew he found a permanent home.

"Right after they drafted me, I flew into town from Villanova to do a press conference," Pressley said. "Before I got back on the plane to go back to the East Coast, I said I will live here for the rest of my life. It was that simple."

Pressley had the same warm feeling when he walked down the halls of St. Bernard for the first time.

He moved with his mother from the Bronx to southeastern Connecticut at the age of five. First, they lived in New London for about three years before moving to Mystic.

A friend's sister insisted that Pressley attend St. Bernard.

It turned out to be wise advice. He fell for the school within the first minute of his visit.

"Once I met coach Rich Pagliuca, it was all over," Pressley said. "He just had a sincere love for people. That was all it took for me. ... To this day, we still talk quite a bit."

When Pressley was named to the CIAC Boys' Basketball All-Century team last month, Pagliuca called him with the news. He was a three-time all-state selection, McDonald's All-American and first team Parade Magazine All-American.

Pressley greatly appreciates the CIAC honor.

"That was a blessing just to be able to show my kids, my family and friends, just how wonderful God has been to me," he said. "That's what that was about. For me, it was more my teammates that caused that."

He remains in touch with his basketball families.

He participates in a bible study on Zoom with former St. Bernard teammate Michael Cagle, who lives in Norwich.

He's reconnected with Bob Bono, his high school assistant coach and now an assistant at the Coast Guard Academy. They got together last year when Pressley visited the area.

"He's a great person," Bono said. "The best thing about coaching him, it's great when your best player is the best person on the team and the best teammate. And that's what he was. ... He came from a good family."

The 1985 Villanova national championship team communicates daily by a group text message. Massimino, who impressed Pressley during a recruiting visit by vowing to make a lifetime commitment to him, passed away in 2017.

Massimino and Pagliuca share something in common, according to Pressley.

"It was I'm here to help anybody and everybody and of course I'm going to take care of my players, " Pressley said of his two coaches' mindset, "but anybody who wants some help, I'm here for them. So that brings me to who I am today. It's so easy to see the steps going forward."

As far as high school basketball highlights, his fondest memories from the two high school state championship wins have nothing do with personal success.

After St. Bernard thumped Bristol Eastern, 64-46, in the 1981 Class L title game, he remembers being happy for Marc Crawford, who rose to the occasion and earned most valuable player honors.

"I saw his struggles during the three years that I was with him," Pressley said. "Just to watch him keep going and to persevere was such a blessing to me. It was the Harold Pressley show the whole way through. But this guy just loved playing basketball. He just had one of those games at the right time, I was just so happy for him."

Pressley was equally as thrilled for his supporting cast that included Wayne Patterson, Kevin Jaskiewicz and Scott Sawyer after beating Crosby, 74-55, for the 1982 state title. He put on a dominating performance, finishing with 33 points, 28 rebounds and over 12 blocks.

"Oh my gosh, he just completely controlled the game," Bono said. "He was awesome."

Those glory days still make Pressley smile.

"I had a heck of a career," Pressley said. "I was definitely blessed."

g.keefe@theday.com