There are so many reasons why teens love basketball. Apart from allowing them to socialize, it also lets them be physically and mentally healthy.

Anthony Muobike, like most kids his age, loves basketball.

He would spend hours out in his driveway practicing his dribbling and ball-handling skills. He finds joy in doing that routine every single day.

There’s just one thing missing.

Anthony has a ball and space to practice his skills. However, he doesn’t have a basketball hoop. For someone who wants to get better at the sport, practicing how to shoot the ball properly is important.

People in his neighborhood started to notice how passionate he is about basketball.

One of them was Ian Ray. Living in the same Edmonton neighborhood for more than 10 years, he has grown fond of Anthony’s impressive skills. And because he knew that he could be better, he decided to intervene.

In an interview with Global News, Ian shared:

“He was just a kid who dribbled a basketball all day. I kind of figured it would be cool if he had a net.”

Ian came up with an interesting plan.

He reached out to other people in his neighborhood to ask for help. He even posted about his intention on social media, particularly Facebook.

He was surprised by the responses he received.

Several people offered to donate their used nets to Anthony. Even Canadian Tire responded and donated a brand new net for him. Apart from the new hoop, people also donated a total of $750. The money was used to get a sport check gift card for the boy.

When it was time to present the surprise, Anthony was overwhelmed with emotions.

He barely saw Ian. They weren’t even that close. In fact, when the man knocked on his front door, he thought that it was about the noise he’s making whenever he’s out dribbling ball. He was worried that it was annoying his neighbors.

In the same interview, he shared:

It does touch my heart. It actually just makes me feel happy inside. It just makes my mind blow like wow.

Even Anthony’s mom was excited.

Leticia Muobike never expected strangers to do so that kind of gesture. That idea made her feel more appreciative of what everyone did for her precious son.

She said:

“I don’t have to see him bounce the ball around anymore. At least he has somewhere to practice and see his dream. This is a dream come true and I thank everyone who believes in him.”

Anthony dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.

He has his mind set on it. He’s so confident that he’s reassuring the people in his community that he’ll be able to do it.

He said:

“I will be in the NBA. 2026, I’ll be there and then try to give back to those people and I will make them proud. I will be up on your TV.”

Watch the touching moment when Anthony’s neighbors joined hands to surprise him in the video below.

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Source: Global News, YouTube-Global News