Adam Silver: Trump’s Immigration Remarks Won’t Deter NBA’s Work

"Sports continue to be a unique opportunity to unite people, and it is a place where there is a rare sense of equality."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attends a press conference. VCG/VCG via Getty)
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attends a press conference. VCG/VCG via Getty)
VCG via Getty Images

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN that President Trump’s comments about immigrants from “sh-thole countries” won’t alter the work of the NBA and NBPA in uniting people and creating lasting change in communities.

“I certainly understand how upset he is as an immigrant to this country and Canada,” Silver said of Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri and other players upset at the president’s remarks.

“I think for him, someone who does so much in his daily life to improve the life of Africans through his personal foundation, through our Basketball Without Borders program, it is discouraging. But Masai will not in any way be deterred from the work he is doing just as the league won’t be.”

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