• NBA: Piqué and Shakira's 'pachanga' at the American Airlines Arena

Chris Silva, a young power forward from the Miami Heat, moved to the United States in 2012 from his native Gabon. Since then, he had only seen his mother, Carine Minkoue Obame , only once. It was three years ago, when he returned to Africa a week to renew his passport. This Friday, the Florida franchise prepared for Christmas the most emotional surprise to its rookie.

In the video that published the official account of the Heat you can see the enormous emotion of Silva, who can not contain the tears: surrounded by his companions in the center of the American Airlines Arena, the 23-year-old could not believe what he was seeing . "It's my mother!" He exclaimed. First the words of Erik Spoelstra and then the irruption of his mother, with which he merged into a beautiful hug.

With the support of the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver, Kimberly Bohuny (Vice President of International Operations) and NBA Africa, Silva's mother undertook crossed the ocean to reach the United States for the first time. "It's crazy, I'm still in shock. I had no idea I was going to see my mother. In fact, a few days ago I talked to her and I was still at home at Christmas. When I saw her come in, I couldn't believe it. I thought that I was seeing a ghost . It was really exciting, "said Silva, who didn't play a minute in the win over the Pacers (113-112).

"We were preparing it for a month," said Spoelstra, who unveiled the anecdote from which the initiative to reunite the player emerged, who also works with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a G-League subsidiary, with his mother. "During the training camp, in a day in which the young people told their stories, the team, Chris's, stood out. It was very brave for him to come to a new country , without speaking the language or knowing anyone, just to pursue his dream. We all feel chills at that time. And being able to get ahead three months in time and see what happened now is something that I will keep for the rest of my career, "concluded the coach.

Silva arrived in the United States in 2012, to join Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey. In 2015 he began his university stage in South Carolina, where he completed the four years of NCAA, improving his numbers season by season. In his last, last, 2018-2019, he averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 26.8 minutes.

Although he was not chosen in the 2019 draft, Miami signed a trial contract. His good role in the Summer League and in the preseason with the team had their prize, a two-way contract. So far he has played 25 games (3.8 points, 3.6 rebounds in 9.5 minutes on average).

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