6,351.
That’s how many miles Carine Minkoue Obame has traveled to see her son, Chris Silva, for the first time in 3 years. Obame flew 15 hours from Gabon, Africa to surprise Silva in Miami prior to Friday night’s game vs the Indiana Pacers.
“It’s been hard for Chris here alone in the United States,” said Obame through a French translator. “But I know he has talent so I constantly encourage him.”
Silva left his native country of Gabon in 2012 to attend Roselle Catholic High School (NJ) and has only returned once, for a week, to renew his Visa. This holiday surprise marks Obame’s first trip to the US and her first time seeing her son play basketball in person.
We’d like to thank NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Senior Vice President of International Basketball Operations Kimberly Bohuny with the support of NBA Africa for helping to make this happen.