Mike Conley Brings Christmas Cheer To Local Youth
Dec 17, 2019, 4:37 PM | Updated: 6:16 pm
(Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Ahead of his return to the floor for the Utah Jazz, point guard Mike Conley dished out assists to local youth Monday night. Conley brought his holiday cheer to 15 youths at the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Boys and Girls Club in Murray, gifting Microsoft Xboxes to the surprised club members.
In addition to the video game consoles, the 13-year NBA veteran teamed with Xbox, Microsoft, and the popular game creator 2K Sports to gift the youths Utah Jazz gaming hats and the NBA 2K video game.
“I’m coming to surprise some kids, I have 15 Xboxes that I’m going to pass out for the holidays,” Conley said in a tweet from his personal account, “It’s going to be a fun experience, hopefully they’ll love it and we’ll just spread some cheer.”
I stopped by the Miller Boys & Girls Club in SLC for a surprise visit and passed out XBOXs and 2K to the kids! Thank you @Xbox @Microsoft @NBA2K for teaming up with me in the spirit of the holidays! pic.twitter.com/Ed77j9QBwK
— Mike Conley (@MCONLEY10) December 17, 2019
In a tweet from the Utah Jazz, Conley is seen counting down with families from the club before surprising the kids with new video game systems.
Conley provided the gifts, as well as $125 gift cards to all 15 students out of his own pocket.
The members of the club anxiously tore away wrapping paper to gasps at their early holiday gifts.
Spreading holiday cheer at the Boys and Girls Club in Murray with @MCONLEY10 pic.twitter.com/QeGM4w80Rg
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 17, 2019
Conley’s generosity was a staple during his 12 year career in Memphis before joining the Jazz, specifically working with those affected by sickle cell disease.
The Jazz guard has two cousins who have suffered from sickle cell disease and during his time in Memphis, raised more than $1 million in for the Methodist University Hospital’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
Earlier this year, Conley personally donated $500,000 to the center.
After a bus crash injured 45 Memphis youth and claimed the life of a nine-year-old boy, Conley hosted survivors from the crash at a Grizzlies game, paid for medical expenses, and paid for a retreat for 250 players from the Orange Mound Youth Association.
Conley gave his game-worn shoes to the family of Kameron Johnson, the boy killed in the crash.
Conley isn’t the only Jazz player spreading Christmas cheer this season.
Rudy Gobert partnered with Family Promise Salt Lake to provide winter clothing and gifts to 25 youths and their families at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus. Earlier this month, Gobert donated clothes to the Neighborhood House in Salt Lake City.
Just when I think I couldn't love this @utahjazz team anymore – @rudygobert27 gives kids in need, a 𝘑𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘶𝘹 𝘕𝘰ë𝘭.#TakeNote @JazzDoingGood @RudysFoundation #UtahJazz pic.twitter.com/56uOCHSez4
— God Rest Ye Melbourne Gentlemen (@HemaHeimuliJr) December 13, 2019
Gobert created the Rudy’s Kids Foundation, which donates to charities benefiting youth around the world.