Magic’s Paolo Banchero Shares Why It Was Important To Give To The Seattle Rotary
Paolo Banchero, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year for the Orlando Magic, is making headlines not only for his on-court ability but also for his commitment to giving back to the community that played a crucial role in shaping his basketball journey. Hailing from the Seattle area, Banchero’s roots in the game can be traced back to his early days with the Rotary Style Basketball program at a local Boys & Girls Club. Now, as a rising star in the NBA, Banchero is returning to his roots and giving back to the program that laid the foundation for his success.
Banchero’s love for basketball blossomed during his time with the Rotary Style Basketball program. From kindergarten through high school, he honed his skills and developed a deep connection with the game under the guidance of mentors and coaches at the Boys & Girls Club. The program not only provided him with a platform to showcase his talents but also instilled in him the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship that continue to define his career.
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Recently, Banchero made a heartwarming return to the Rotary Style Basketball program, where he unveiled a special edition of the Jordan Luka 1 PE inspired by the team’s colors. In a surprise gesture, he gifted pairs of these exclusive shoes to 7th and 8th-grade students in the program. The event was not only a celebration of Banchero’s success but also a symbol of gratitude and a way for him to give back to the community that played a pivotal role in his basketball journey.
Paolo Banchero expressed his gratitude to Jordan Brand for making this meaningful moment possible. In a post on Instagram, he thanked the iconic brand for the support in donating shoes to the Seattle Rotary program. Banchero also acknowledged the role of Luka Doncic, stating that the opportunity was made possible in collaboration with the Slovenian NBA star. The partnership with Jordan Brand and the support from Luka Doncic have allowed Banchero to fulfill his desire to give back to his childhood basketball community in a significant way.
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During a recent interview with Playerstv, Banchero shared his excitement about the partnership with Jordan Brand and hinted at more initiatives in the coming years. He mentioned that the Rotary Style Basketball program would be receiving more exclusive Jordan PEs in the following year, signaling a long-term commitment to supporting the program that played a crucial role in his development.
“Yeah, it was huge thankful for Jordan Brand you know allowing me to do that. Yeah, it was huge thankful for Jordan Brand you know allowing me to do that. And yeah, I mean I grew up playing for the same program my whole life, the Seattle Rotary, and I felt it was one of the first things I wanted to do was to bless them with with a sponsorship,” said Banchero.
“And also some shoes [and] over the summer I got a chance to get the program some shoes, which is dope to have for rotary to have their own Jordan PEs. It’s actually Lukas PEs, his first shoe. So shout out to Luka [Doncic] shout out to Jordan brand. And that was the first shoe we got some more coming up in the following, you know, years. So it’s really excited about that partnership. And I mean, I think, you know, shout out Darrell Hennings and Dan Finkley, the founders of Seattle Rotary they deserve it.”
Paolo Banchero’s journey from the Rotary Style Basketball program to becoming the NBA Rookie of the Year is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the impact of community programs on young athletes. By giving back to the Seattle Rotary program, Banchero is not only expressing gratitude but also creating a legacy of support for the next generation of aspiring basketball players in his hometown.
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