The excursions came on the same day head coach Darko Rajakovic and his wife Gaga announced a $20 pledge for each assist the Raptors makes this season, with the money going to SickKids in Toronto, a children’s hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
“Assists are something that are important on the court but also off the court. When we’re in a position to help others, to help those in need, that’s kind of like our civic duty,” Rajakovic said.
“When you’re sick you have only one desire, to get healthy. And to see those families and those kids fighting so bravely — and all the support staff is there for them, day in and day out — it’s something that’s very, very inspiring and it’s a great cause.”
Sharing the ball has been one of the positive attributes of the Raptors during a tumultuous season. Toronto is averaging 29.6 assists per game, second in the league heading into Wednesday. Their 1,302 assists add up to $26,040 so far.
Inside the Variety Village gym, Raptors Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl joined young wheelchair basketball players, Jontay Porter and Garrett Temple engaged in lacrosse, RJ Barrett rolled on the floor with toddlers and helped them learn how to dribble, and Gary Trent Jr. showed kids the fundamentals of a good shot.
They signed autographs and took pictures with the children, many of whom could not stop screaming in excitement.
“I love NBA, I love the Raptors, I love them all,” said a giddy Joshua MacDonald, a basketball ambassador at Variety Village who helps others with disabilities to play the game. A huge fan of former Raptors star Pascal Siakam, he said it was “pretty awesome” to meet the players for the first time.
Players expressed the same level of excitement in interacting with kids and their parents.
“I remember being a kid and having players come and speak to me and put me through drills and play games with me,” said Barrett, who grew up in Mississauga and whose father Rowan is from Scarborough. “For us, whenever we can give back, this is something that a kid might remember for the rest of their life.”
It’s also a reminder that being an NBA player is truly a blessing.
“It really gives you a (different) perspective on life,” Porter said. “Life is not all about our career, our basketball, our playing time. It’s really just to impact others and show love to others, and the love is both ways.
I don’t take (these moments) for granted because it really is special to be with them today.”
Visits at SickKids have been an annual tradition for the Raptors, and the support has been mutual. Young fans at the hospital recorded a video message wishing the Raptors success before the 2019 NBA Finals.
With files from Doug Smith
