Going back home and giving back is always something that NBA players talk about doing. From getting mom her first house to fixing up the local park you grew up playing on or even donating money to your high school, there are plenty of stories about NBA players giving back. One player in particular, Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks, elected to go overseas to give back.
Porzingis recently made a trip to his native country of Latvia and went to his hometown to give a gift to someone who was pivotal in his growth into the NBA player and future star he is. While Kristaps might have broken the hearts of many Latvians hoping he would play in the Olympics, he went back home to give his first coach a nice ‘thank you’.
Back in his hometown, @nyknicks Kristaps Porzingis just gave 50k € (more than 57k $) to his first coach #GivingBack pic.twitter.com/5u9U2Hti9Q
— Andrejs Silins (@AndrejsSilins) May 3, 2016
Edvins Sprude coached Porzingis from the time he was 6 years old until the day he left to play in the Spanish league at the age of 16. In a news feature before the 2015-16 season on Latvian TV’s Sporta Studija, the veteran coach said the following about Porzingis’ first practice at age 6: “He was pale and scared and had no idea what to do. After six months of training, it was clear he would be a good shooter.” Sprude said NBA money will not spoil Porzingis. “His head is in the right place,’’ Sprude said.
Kristaps Porzingis sure is proud of his Latvian roots.
Very proud to be a Latvian today. 26 years ago we regained our freedom; 81 years ago we were the first European basketball champions. ??
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) May 4, 2016
