NBA star Ben Simmons helps change the lives of young Savannah Pride basketballers
There was a lot of noise about NBA star Ben Simmons and his visit to Sydney recently. But a group of players will long remember his quiet act of generosity.
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Sometimes it pays to have friends in high places — in this case the exalted heights of NBA super stardom.
Major Chagai and his Savannah Pride program have been the recipient of a generous gift from NBA gun and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons in the wake of his flying visit to Sydney last month.
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Chagai is a friend of the Simmons family and receive a personal invitation from his sister Melissa for six of his young charges to attend the junior camp at the Hills Basketball Stadium in Castle Hill hosted by the man who has been riding a wave of success since his 2018 NBA debut.
It made them forget all their challenges for a little while and to see there is great hope
“It was life changing for them,’’ said Chagai, a ‘Lost Boy’ who came to Australia when 20.
“Just to meet him was great because when they get a chance to meet someone like Ben it gives them hope and inspiration.
“They can never imagine meeting someone like that, talking to them, getting autographs. It’s is amazing.
“He is a young superstar and they see he has got to the NBA and it is inspiring.
“They are on top of the world. It made them forget all their challenges for a little while and to see there is great hope.”
Chagai said around 90 balls from the camp were then donated to his program.
Savannah Pride is a community of mentors, educators, coaches and students based out of the Blacktown Police Citizens Boys which aims to inspire youth through sport and education.
Simmons also attended a Boomers camp during his flying visit to Australia for junior camps in Sydney and Melbourne.