PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle has teamed up with energy drink Red Bull to donate money to Philadelphia Parks and Recreation for every steal he records this season.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said the partnership began with a $250 donation. Now Red Bull is increasing it to $500 for every steal he makes during the NBA Playoffs.
Lovell said the money will go to improve basketball courts in communities where kids look up to Thybulle as a role model.
"We're certainly going to be talking with him and the Sixers about places where they would like to see the funding used towards," said Lovell, "but we also have our own list of needs in the city and that also includes our underserved neighborhoods where we need to replace backboards or we want to buy new equipment, or even provide some positive programs for young people."
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According to Lovell, the partnership has raised over $26,000 so far. "This is such a gift to us," she said. "We're rooting for Matisse every game. If he does well, we do well."
The department will get a chance for even more money in the donation pot when the 76ers start their playoff series against the Washington Wizards Sunday night.