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The kids lined up on the basketball court at the National Basketball Players Assn. facility last week, groups on two sides with smiles on their faces, all of them patiently extending their arms as they waited for their guest to arrive.
When Lakers center Deandre Ayton peered through the glass and saw those kids, he smiled and shook his head before entering the gym. He slowly walked down the line by each kid, doing his best to slap every hand or to at least make eye contact with them.
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This was a basketball clinic Ayton and his Ayton Family Foundation had been inspired to do in partnership with the NBPA, an event that the Jamaican and Bahamian Consulates aided by sending about 50 kids to participate in on-court activities and a dinner on behalf of Ayton and his family.
“It fills me, for real, just seeing their smiles,” Ayton said. “And me being out there. You saw me going at it against one of them. He’s about 6-4 and he tried to get at me. I’m like, ‘Whoa … Whoa. Bro. I got to keep these legs strong.’ In about 10 years, they are going to be knocking me over. They are ready and I’m loving it and they’re so hip to the game and they know the terminology so I just loved it, man.”
Some of those kids got to see Ayton playing center for the Lakers against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 3 at Barclays Center.
They saw Ayton at his efficient best, shooting three for five from the field for seven points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton (center) elevates for a dunk against the Raptors. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
On the Lakers recent eight-game trip, Ayton seemingly made every shot. He was six-for-six shooting with 13 points against the New York Knicks and 12-for-14 shooting with 28 points against the Washington Wizards.
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Shooting a high percentage has been the essence of Ayton’s season — he is making 67.5% of his shots, the second-best mark in the NBA. He’s averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds.
So, sharing his wisdom with the kids about the game of basketball was cathartic for Ayton.
“Just having guys in my position visiting these…
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Publish date : 2026-02-12 12:00:00
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