Although Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva are both NBA players in their early 20s, they too once had a favorite Christmas gift they received as young children not that long ago.
For Banchero, it was a Nintendo DS that released in the mid-2000s.
“I remember when that was coming out, I was like 7 or 8 years old … Me, my sister and my cousin, we all got one so we spent the next three days just playing it all day together,” he said Thursday. “So, that was fun.”
Da Silva recalled receiving something a little bit closer to the career he eventually chose: Derrick Rose’s signature shoe with Adidas — The AdiZero Rose 2.5 that debuted in the 2010s.
“Those are definitely up there,” he said.
The Magic teammates had the chance to play the role of Santa Claus on Thursday night when they teamed up with Pepsi for a holiday shopping spree at a Walmart in Orlando for 100 kids from the Boys and Clubs of Central Florida.
Each kid received $225 in gift cards courtesy of Pepsi, Banchero and da Silva when the Magic players along with Magic community ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw and Magic and Pepsi volunteer staff members took the B&G members shopping.
“It’s really special,” Banchero said. “This (was) my third year doing it. I did it the first year and had a bunch of fun, and wanted to do it every year after. So I (was) happy to be back with Pepsi and the Boys and Girls Club to give these kids something to look forward to and be able to shop around the holidays.”
Joining Banchero for the first time at the event was Da Silva, who was looking forward to the opportunity to help local youth out.
“It puts a smile on my face,” da Silva said. “It means a lot. I’ve seen clips from last year and Paolo’s been doing this for three years, so being a part of this, giving back and seeing the smiles and excitement it’s a really fun experience.”
Jason Beede/Orlando Sentinel
Magic forward Tristan da Silva chats with kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central during a holiday shopping spree at a Walmart in Orlando on Thursday night. (Jason Beede/Orlando Sentinel)
It was also a chance for da Silva, who’s in his second season with the Magic, to meet with younger fans from Orlando.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “The community is the biggest aspect of who we are and what we do. It’s amazing to reach all generations of that. I feel like this is a great opportunity for us to connect with the younger fans and keep that bond close.”
While da Silva was new to the event, the shopping spree hit close to home for Banchero, who grew up spending ample time at the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Seattle.
Three branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida — West Sanford Branch, East Altamonte Branch, West Orange Branch — participated in the event.
“Getting to be with them and allow them to enjoy the holidays is always special,” Banchero said. “You know you leave a lasting impression on them.
“This is something that hopefully they don’t forget for the rest of their lives.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Jason Beede/Orlando Sentinel
One hundred children from three branches of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida were gifted a shopping spree at a Walmart with Orlando Magic teammates Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva on Thursday night. (Jason Beede/Orlando Sentinel)