Immanuel Quickley has made his impact off the court a priority. The Raptors guard just won an NBA award for his efforts
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CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
London native NBA player scores big off the court, giving back to hometown kids
It was a slam dunk kind of day for hundreds of kids as they got the chance to interact with London-born Shaedon Sharpe of the NBA's Portland Trailblazers. 'I think it's always a blessing to give back,' said Sharpe. 'I was once a kid looking up to older players so just to get back to the city I came from, it feels right.' The 22 year old is heading into his fourth season with the NBA and says he hopes to inspire young athletes to shoot for their dreams. 'Just keep going, striving for your dreams, the sky's the limit,' said Sharpe. 'Just have fun with what you do.' The event was sponsored by Sharpe, who provided backpacks and school supplies for children in need. 081425 - Shaedon Sharpe London Shaedon Sharpe, NBA player born in London, gives back to hometown kids. (Lauren Stallone/CTV News London) 'It just gives them a bit of a kickstart for the school year,' said Paul Chisholm with London and Middlesex Community Housing. 'Maybe with these school supplies they can get an extra outfit and things like that, and for families the financial burden is removed.' Organizers said they are thankful for Sharpe and his willingness to give back to his community. 'For this event we really want to make sure the kids know that people think about them,' said Chisholm. Sharpe's family said while they are proud of the player their son has become, they are even prouder of the man he is off the court. 'It's just a true blessing for Shaedon to be able to come back to his hometown and do this for the kids and see the smiles on their faces,' said Robert Sharpe, Shaedon's father. Sharpe will also be hosting a one-day basketball camp at Fanshawe College on Saturday.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lakers to honor Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley with statue unveiling against Celtics
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Pat Riley on Feb. 22, as the Hall of Famer joins the likes of former team greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant in bronze outside their downtown arena. The Lakers will fittingly honor Riley against their long-time rival, the Boston Celtics. Riley coached the Lakers from from 1981 to 1990 during the team's 'Showtime' era and won four NBA championships (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). He led the Lakers through one of the most dynamic eras for any team in NBA history. With Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar leading an exciting roster with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) in Riley's tenure and added 102 playoff victories over nine seasons. The Lakers won at least 50 games in each of his nine seasons as coach and they won at least 60 games in five straight seasons. He was named NBA Coach of the Year with the Lakers in 1989-90. He played for Los Angeles from 1970 to 1975, and was a team broadcaster before becoming Paul Westhead's assistant in 1979. Riley was part of the 1971=72 team that won a league-record 33 straight games and won the NBA championship. The 80-year-old Riley also coached the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat. He won another championship as coach with the Heat in 2006 and now serves as their team president. Just last season, the Heat named the court in their downtown arena after Riley in a ceremony attended by many of his former players. Riley will become the eighth Lakers luminary to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza, which has become a popular tourist attraction for fans of the globally popular franchise. The others are Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP NBA:
National Post
3 days ago
- National Post
Ex-Toronto Raptors star surprises entire restaurant by picking up the tab
Former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam likes to give back, but he did it in a different way on a recent vacation. Article content While hanging out in Grenada, Siakam felt like some Kentucky Fried Chicken — and it was lucky for all of the customers there, since he took care of all of their meals. Article content Article content 'We don't want attention,' Siakam said on a clip posted to social media when doing a drive through was suggested, but he asked to go inside, though. Article content Article content 'They're saying the Caribbean KFC is different, so I'm trying to see what it's about,' he says in the clip. Article content He was surprised how many people were inside and had to laugh when someone asked if he wanted his chicken 'spicy' (since Spicy P is his nickname). Article content Claiming he hadn't had 'KFC in a long time, probably since college (at New Mexico State),' Siakam's generosity stunned customers inside when a worker told them he was paying for everything. Some were incredulous until told he was an NBA player. Article content Article content 'This is the first time in history that anyone has ever purchased meals for everyone in the building,' a KFC worker said in the clip. Article content P in 🇬🇩 — this is not an ad @kfc — pascal siakam (@pskills43) August 8, 2025 Article content Article content The 2019 champion, who was the team's second-leading scorer, is coming off another big season for the Indiana Pacers, helping lead them to the NBA Finals and a heartbreaking Game 7 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Article content Article content Previously, he has done plenty of charity work through his PS43 program, which holds an annual basketball camp in his native Cameroon, and his Data Dunkers program, which is still held in Toronto and helps students in grades 5 through 12 learn data science skills like coding. Article content Siakam hosted a Data Dunkers event in Toronto in December 2024 at Humber College. Article content 'You do some of these things from your heart and obviously you hope that it has an impact, but just to see the reactions,' Siakam told City TV's Lindsay Dunn. 'One thing I wanted to do when I left was to continue to have that imprint in the community because I grew up here. So it's part of me, part of who I am, it's part of my family. Article content 'To be able to still touch the community while I'm away, and then whenever I get a chance to be here, just making sure I come in and not only show face but just show my support.' Article content 'When I left I wanted to continue to have that imprint on the community. I grew up here, it's part of me it is part of who I am.' @pskills43 on his foundations continued work in Toronto and across Canada. #pacers #Raptors — Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) December 3, 2024
