US President Joe Biden has returned to the tradition by welcoming NBA champion the Milwaukee Bucks to the White House on Monday, November 8, the first American League team to be invited by the US presidency in almost five years.
# NBA75 | The Bucks have arrived at the White House!
First time since 2016 that an NBA champion is received by the President of the United States.
via @Bucks. pic.twitter.com/rnGCe3pVIY
– Basket USA (@basketusa) November 8, 2021
Under Donald Trump’s mandate, basketball players, but also other sportsmen, had chosen not to attend the ceremonies in honor of the winners of the American championships to protest against the Republican policy towards ethnic minorities, the ‘accusing in particular of undermining the civil rights of the black American community. “It’s great and it’s an honor to be part of the tradition, it’s really cool“said Bucks hub Brook Lopez when meeting Joe Biden, which put a damper on the tumultuous relationship between his predecessor Donald Trump and the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the last NBA champions to make it to the White House, under the presidency of Barack Obama.
Joe Biden, who has met the players and coaches of the franchise, particularly praised the back of the team Donte DiVincenzo, like him from Delaware. “He won two state championships there“, did he declare. “So he’s used to this stuff“, he continued. DiVincenzo was delighted with an experience that will leave him with lasting memories.”It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It was an honor, firstly to see someone from Delaware in the presidency and secondly to be here with the team, to win a championship, to be here to celebrate it.“said the American player.
Joe Biden also hailed the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo, top scorer for the Bucks, from poverty in Greece, where he shared a pair of shoes with his brother, to the fulfillment of the American dream. “Jwas a little moved“, reacted the Greek player.” JI know how (my family) sacrificed themselves, because it doesn’t go back eight years, it goes back a long way, since I was a child“.