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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

Towering bushfires in Australia have turned the sky red and forced thousands from their homes
Towering bushfires in Australia have turned the sky red and forced thousands from their homes AFP / PETER PARKS
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