New Orleans point guard Jrue Holiday will donate $31,000 to local victims of last month’s tornado after scoring 26 points and handing out five assists Friday in an overtime loss to the Spurs. Holiday announced earlier in the week he would donate $1,000 for each point and assist he registered in the nationally televised game vs. San Antonio.
The idea for the charitable donation resulted from Holiday watching news reports Feb. 7 that a tornado had struck in eastern New Orleans. It was the strongest tornado to strike the Crescent City in recorded history and caused 33 injuries, though fortunately no fatalities.
“Just watching it on TV, I’m sitting at home, and a couple neighborhoods over, there is devastation,” Holiday remembered of Feb. 7, a day between home games for the Pelicans. “It was hard to see, especially in a city that’s embraced me and supported me. To give back and support them is an easy decision.”
Holiday also reached 3,000 assists for his career during the game.