Tobias Harris speaks to middle-schoolers at Sixers’ Black History Month event
The event was designed to empower the students to be the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Sixers forward Tobias Harris was the marquee attraction at the 76ers’ Kids Can! Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop held Monday at the team’s facility in Camden.
The interactive workshop, at Sixers Innovation Lab, gave middle-school students an opportunity to be inspired by local entrepreneurs representing the area’s African-American communities.
“It was an amazing group of kids,” Harris said. "Being able to go in there and talk to them, and just be with them was awesome.
“So it was a great event that was going on for Black History Month and allowing our youth to understand the importance of education and the importance of each other ... embracing that is a huge thing.”
Harris spent 30 minutes speaking to the youths at one of the sessions before walking next door to practice.
The sessions were designed to empower the students to be the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Each student also received a journal that included business tips, materials, and resources to prepare them for entrepreneurship.
Harris named U.S. Olympic team finalist
Harris is among the 44 NBA players announced Monday by USA Basketball as finalists for the 2020 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
Twelve players will make the final roster for the Toyko Games, which will begin July 24.
Harris’ being a finalist doesn’t come as a surprise, since he is a member of USA Basketball’s pool of players. He was among 20 players invited to last summer’s training camp and the FIBA World Cup, but Harris chose instead to focus on preparing for the Sixers season.
“It was excitement for me,” Harris said of being a finalist. "Obviously, I wasn’t able to partake last summer. But definitely a dream and a goal of mine.
“This summer I look to go out there and work my butt off and see what happens.”
The 6-foot-9, 235-pounder can play both forward positions. He’s also an elite three-point shooter and finisher around the basket. The Sixers are hard to beat when the 27-year-old is on his game. Harris is averaging 19.1 points and shooting 36.7% on three-pointers to go with 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season.
The other 43 finalists are Bam Adebayo (Heat); LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs); Harrison Barnes (Kings); Bradley Beal (Wizards); Devin Booker (Suns); Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers); Jaylen Brown (Celtics); Jimmy Butler (Heat); Mike Conley (Jazz); Stephen Curry (Warriors); Anthony Davis (Lakers); DeMar DeRozan (Spurs); Andre Drummond (Cavaliers); Kevin Durant (Nets); Paul George (Clippers); Draymond Green (Warriors); James Harden (Rockets); Montrezl Harrell (Clippers); Joe Harris (Nets); Gordon Hayward (Celtics); Dwight Howard (Lakers); Brandon Ingram (Pelicans); Kyrie Irving (Nets); LeBron James (Lakers); Kyle Kuzma (Lakers); Kawhi Leonard (Clippers); Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers); Brook Lopez (Bucks); Kevin Love (Cavaliers); Kyle Lowry (Raptors); JaVale McGee (Lakers); Khris Middleton (Bucks); Donovan Mitchell (Jazz); Victor Oladipo (Pacers); Chris Paul (Thunder); Mason Plumlee (Nuggets); Marcus Smart (Celtics); Jayson Tatum (Celtics); Klay Thompson (Warriors); Myles Turner (Pacers); Kemba Walker (Celtics); Russell Westbrook (Rockets); and Derrick White (Spurs).