Quoted by USA Today
Vice President Kamala Harris attended the U.S. men’s basketball team’s final practice prior to their exhibition game versus Canada on Tuesday in Las Vegas.]
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Harris stayed after practice, interacting with coaches and players (having a quick chat with Steph Curry among others), and posing for team pictures. As the team got ready for the Olympics in Paris, her visit—which was a campaign event—served as a reminder of their patriotic responsibility. Her words of appreciation for the team’s brilliance and the significance of their duty as the nation’s representatives were observed by U.S. coach Steve Kerr and assistant coach Erik Spoelstra.
Vice President Harris was excellent, and her presence served as “a great reminder that we’re playing for our country,” according to U.S. coach Steve Kerr.
“She told the guys how much she admired them and how they really embodied excellence and the fact that we are going over there to try to win a gold medal for our country. She said that it’s a demonstration of our patriotic feeling of being part of something special for our country. And I think the guys really listened to every word.”
“Pretty special moment for the entire group,” U.S. assistant coach Erik Spoelstra said. “She just mentioned that we represent our country and everybody is going to be watching and rooting for us. It’s a big responsibility.”
The Golden State Warriors’ coach, Steve Kerr, made note of Doug Emhoff, Harris’ spouse, being a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers twice.
“I’ve met her many times given that she’s from Oakland and we’ve been fortunate enough to visit the White House when she was there, but also on a few trips to California,” Kerr said. “I’ve met her several times and she’s a Warriors fan. She loves our team. She loves basketball. Yeah, the first gentleman is a Lakers fan, unfortunately, but we will live with that.”
