MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The smallest gesture can have a huge impact.
That was reaffirmed by the San Antonio Spurs when the team held an open and rare practice Wednesday morning for students who attend Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach.
With a transformative roster brimming with young players, Spurs Center and former No.1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama received the loudest ovation as the team took the court for a brief practice at the school.
Students were captivated by the Spurs players and coaches and even got to take pictures with them after practice was over.
Hebrew Academy student Dov Shapiro told Local 10 News that not only seeing the 7-foot-4 “Wemby,” was a moment that he and his peers will never forget.
“It felt like he was an alien,” he said. “From a community standpoint, it’s really big for Miami Beach and for Jewish people in Miami Beach to heve them practice at Hebrew Academy.”
“I’d like to thank Coach Pop (Gregg Popovich) and my coach, Coach H, for making it happen,” Shapiro added.
The Miami Heat will host the Spurs on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Really cool of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich today. The team holding shoot-around at Hebrew Academy HS in Miami Beach. Kids from varsity basketball team lined up to see Victor Wembanyama. Pop let them in to watch and even spoke to them and took pics. pic.twitter.com/lGFq25waR7
— Will Manso (@WillManso) February 7, 2024