Make California Post a Preferred Source The Lakers hosted a “Season of Giving” event at the team’s practice facility on Friday in which they provided 100 students from After-School All-Stars with a Thanksgiving feast, holiday-themed activities, a photo station, a carnival and a shopping experience.
Bronny James signed autographs as the children eagerly waited in line.
And Ziaire Williams gifted his sandals to some very excited children, who proceeded to try on the 6-foot-9 forward’s slides as they smiled and laughed.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” said Williams, who also shot around with the children on a Pop-A-Shot carnival game. “It’s definitely an inspiration. And to see just real NBA athletes just living regular lives, playing with kids, and doing regular human things that they think we don’t do, it definitely brings a smile to their face. And like I said, I’m happy to be a part of it.”
The children got to spend time around the NBA’s second-winningest franchise with 17 championships and a team that’s on a heater with seven straight wins and the best record in the league at 11-2.
It was the second straight season that the Lakers teamed up with After-School All-Stars in Los Angeles, which is an after-school program dedicated to providing free comprehensive enrichment programs to students from underserved communities.
The Lakers have been participating in a “Season of Giving” since 2000, hosting various events aimed at connecting and bringing joy to Angelenos around the holiday season.
“It’s great,” Grimes said. “Probably one of the best things we can do as NBA players and as professional athletes. Give back to kids and give them hope.
And you see them smile. …Just always try to give back [to] people who need it and stuff like that.”
