On Friday evening 400 guests gathered at the Victory Capital Performance Center for the second annual “Champions for Change.”
This year’s theme “Kicks for a Cause” paired the Spurs players with local artists to create a unique pair of sneakers which were auctioned off for charity.
As the players entered the event, each witnessed the shoes designed in their honor while being introduced to the artist who brought their vision to light.
The shoes were designed by a local artist with input shared the player, personalizing the outcome.
Wembanyama had an alien design while Lindy Waters III’s pair featured a tribute to his Kiowa and Cherokee heritage.
Mural artist JC Gomez Molina, JC Art (@jc_texas_art_2, designed shoes for both Devin Vassell and Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo spent the most time of any player admiring his tribute.
Spurs sharpshooter Julian Champagnie, who’s had an incredible start to 2026 shared,
“My shoe design was Transformer…I think it was great…I think each and every artist put their all into it, put their heart into it. I appreciate it personally.”
Spurs power forward Harrison Barnes, who proudly supports multiple philanthropic endeavors stated,
“I think it’s special to see a shoe like this. Each shoe represents something that’s special to the players, that’s meaningful to them, and you can see the talent from these artists has been spectacular.”
Patricia Mejia, Chief Impact Officer at SS&E, instrumental in the success of this event shared,
“At its core, Champions for Change is about using our platform to strengthen the communities we serve. This event represents what’s possible when we work together with passion and purpose, and we’re proud to continue advancing initiatives that foster belonging and drive positive change across San Antonio.”
The event brought together Spurs players, coaches and community members for an evening featuring games and opportunities to connect while raising funds for local initiatives. Ping-pong, Jenga, and Pop-A-Shot took place throughout.
In fact, at one point, we were told Keldon Johnson was going to spend a moment with the media, but he was waylaid due to a heated corn hole game involving Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and him.
The event raised over $450,000 to support community initiatives that align with Spurs Give. Patricia Mejia mentioned planning for next year will begin soon as the Spurs Organization continue to raise the bar on fundraising and add excitement surrounding the associated events.
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