NBA News: Players, Teams Link Up As NBA Players Association Donates $750K To Australia Fire Relief

KEY POINTS
- Nine players from the NBA led the cause to help their motherland
- Cleveland Cavaliers said that they will be also donating to the cause
- Millions of animals are dying due to the destruction of their habitat
The NBA Players Association (NBAPA) released a statement supporting the cause of Australian players in the league in helping both the victims and all people who are risking their lives trying to put the fire out.
In the statement published both on their website and their social media, the nine players who hailed from Australia tied up with the association and committed to donate US$750,000 for the recovery and relief operations in the country. An approximate of six million hectares have been destroyed by the fire in the country, with the New South Wales getting the worst of it, that started in September. Millions of animals are reportedly dying from the inferno that hit their habitat per CNN reports.
The statement named Aron Baynes of the Phoenix Suns, Johan Bolden and Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, Ryan Broekoff of the Dallas Mavericks, Matthew Dellavedova and Dante Exum of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz, Thon Maker of the Detroit Pistons, and Patrick Mills of the San Antonio Spurs as the people who committed to help their home country.
In light of the recent Australian bushfires, all nine Australian NBA Players with the support of the NBPA Foundation and the @NBA have pledged $750,000 USD to aid in immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding projects in the country. pic.twitter.com/wm0bunLLbA
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 7, 2020
With the support of the NBPA Foundation and the @NBA, all nine Australian NBA Players commit $750,000 USD to bushfire relief efforts in Australia.
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 7, 2020
Link to press release here: https://t.co/nnLvLJWeg2 pic.twitter.com/3d9cMGTxba
Australian @NBA Players Commit $750,000 USD to Bushfires in Australia with the support of the @TheNBPA Foundation and the NBAhttps://t.co/8YR3gSc9zu pic.twitter.com/JaHBfsyBiA
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) January 7, 2020
“The Foundation’s board is committed to extending our long-standing support of players’ financial contributions in response to disasters through this joint effort,” Sherrie Deans, the NBAPA Executive Director, stated.
The players are also spreading the word out using their own social media accounts to raise awareness and to encourage people to chip in any amount to help to save Australia and the environment in general.
Appreciate the @NBA + @NBPA coming together with the Aussie NBA boys to support the Australian Bushfire Relief efforts. It’s a really tough time in Australia right now but we are resilient people and stick together🇦🇺 #AustraliaFires https://t.co/i0NtpqsvUD
— Matthew Dellavedova (@matthewdelly) January 7, 2020
There is still so much devastation but I am proud that we could all come together w/ help from @TheNBPA & @nba it is truly appreciated. There is much more to be done #AustralianBushFires pic.twitter.com/V3Xy13AxQv
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 7, 2020
So thankful to the @NBA and @TheNBPA as well as my fellow Australian NBA players for coming together to help make a difference for those affected by the fires back home. https://t.co/UJkNuSqJqA
— Ryan Broekhoff (@RBroekhoff45) January 7, 2020
My homeland is burning!
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) January 5, 2020
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What you need to know about Australia’s bushfires and the latest news and updates.
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Using this platform to create global awareness. Encouraging unity and support for firefighters, wildlife and people affected by this unprecedented national crisis. pic.twitter.com/cLx1DKi5RF
The 32-year old Spurs point guard, who was born and raised in Canberra, has been flooding his timeline with news, updates and awareness to his followers about the current situation in their home country.
There have been fires in every Australian state, but New South Wales has been hit the hardest.
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) January 5, 2020
Approximately 6 million hectares of land (14.8 million acres) has been destroyed since September. pic.twitter.com/nmNjceryfl
The situation for wildlife is devasting and it will be months after the fires before the full implications on wild populations can be understood.
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) January 5, 2020
There have been estimates by ecologists at the University of Sydney that over 480million animals have already been affected since Sept pic.twitter.com/fsPqtJgWGE
A mother and her son have been air evacuated from their hometown in Mallacoota, Victoria.
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) January 6, 2020
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Mallacoota lost a lot of homes, wildlife and their local CFA (Country Fire Authority).
If you are in a situation to help, donate directly with the link below. https://t.co/7LXTvivDXc pic.twitter.com/yjyQm9OW2q
Unfortunately, Australia is only just entering its summer season. Normally, temperatures peak in January and February, meaning the country could be months away from finding relief.
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) January 6, 2020
If recent years is any guide, we may have yet to see it’s worst. #australiaisburning
With the collaboration of the players and the players’ association, Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) expressed their gratitude to the gesture made by the organization.
Incredible contribution from our 🇦🇺 NBA players to the @RedCrossAU bushfire relief efforts 🙌 https://t.co/PYNd2MSeMi
— The NBL (@NBL) January 7, 2020
Dellavedova’s post reached his mother team Cleveland Cavaliers, who also acquired Exum weeks ago, and said that the team will be making a donation to help their cause. The 29-year old combo guard is currently in his second stint with the Cavs, where he helped the team to win a title in 2016.
The Cavs are making a donation in support of you and your efforts for Australia. ❤️
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 7, 2020
All for One. One for All. https://t.co/68SgQx5Y2Y
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