Young First Nations basketballers came from all over Victoria to learn from NBA legend Horace Grant last Tuesday.
Some families travelled over four hours to see the NBA All Star.
"That tells you how much basketball means to them," said Founder of Koorie Academy Basketball and Gunai Kunai man Ricky Baldwin.
"It's not often our kids get the opportunity to spend quality time with an NBA legend who won four NBA Championships and is an NBA All Star," he told NITV.
"Forty years I've been involved in basketball and not one NBA player has wanted to do this."
Ricky Baldwin (far right) says that he was able to build a friendship with Horace and has plans to work with him in the future. Credit: Supplied
"For him to come down and engage with the kids today and seeing how happy they are - that's what it's all about.
"Horace was great with all the kids. Engaging them and teaching them with all his basketball knowledge," he told NITV.
Horace Grant played seventeen seasons in the NBA for four teams, including the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic.
He played among other NBA all starts Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He scored over 10,000 points during his NBA career.
But even this legend is in awe of the work that's being done at Koorie, believing there's potential for future NBA stars among the group.
"Rick's giving his all to this academy and to these kids.
"It gives kids the opportunity to go down the right path. Basketball brings community and kids together," Grant said.
Horace's advice to the young ones is for them to embrace their culture. Credit: Supplied
Gift of culture
But, it wasn't only the young ones who were taught a thing or two.
Grant was also able to learn about culture and community.
"It was his first ever experience learning about our culture," Baldwin told NITV.
Aunty Joy Murphy performed a beautiful Welcome to Country.
There was also a smoking ceremony which Horace immersed himself in.
"The smoke, the burning of the leaves ... it was beautiful.
"My experience was spiritual and fantastic. The culture... it is unbelievable," he said.
The NBA star was presented with traditional artefacts.
"A coolamon, a message stick and clap sticks which all the Koorie Academy kids gifted him. He was really touched by the gesture," Baldwin told NITV.
Grant also met with local Elders from Wandarra Aboriginal Corporation to yarn about truth-telling and the country's history.
For his part, Grant encouraged the young ones to "embrace" their culture.
Having him mentor the kids in this way was something special for Baldwin.
"He did this out of love, wanting to learn about our culture and spend time with our kids in community," he said.
A beautiful friendship has flourished between the two men.
"I got him know him on a personal level was not expecting to gain a new friend," said Baldwin.
Koorie Academy expressed its hope of working with Grant again in the future, and it seems the feeling is mutual.
"The honour is all mine. Thank you guys for inviting me to your home," said Grant.
