Basketball icon Muggsy Bogues gives back to Saskatoon kids

Fourteen season National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran and former Toronto Raptor Muggsy Bogues was in Saskatoon Saturday, inspiring youth to lead a healthy life.

Bogues took part in the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes celebration event at the Shaw Centre.

The event congratulated kids from Boys and Girls Clubs in Saskatoon who completed a six-week diabetes prevention program.

The children put their basketball skills to the test, with the help of Bogues and coaches from the NBA Fit program.

The hope is that the kids continue to eat healthy and stay active long after they leave the program.

Bogues said he appreciates the opportunity to inspire a new generation.

“My favourite part is just engaging with the kids,” he said. “Seeing their faces light up and taking part in something they can use in everyday life.”

Sun Life’s director of philanthropy and sponsorship, Karine Zanier, said the program has expanded since its launch last year.

“Year one we were at 25 Boys and Girls Club locations across Canada,” she said. “We have expanded it to 50 clubs across Canada with a session in the fall and winter.”

Bogues also mentioned he hopes to be a role model to the kids he interacts with.

“To showcase my career, hopefully it can rub off on these kids,” he said. “Regardless of what someone might say about you, they have the gift to prove them wrong.”

Bogues also gave his insight on who he thinks are the teams to watch in the upcoming NBA playoffs.

“To me, it could come down to three teams: Toronto, Milwaukee and Boston,” he said. “I’ll put Toronto at the top of that list and hopefully we can get that championship this year.

Bogues played in 83 games for the Raptors from 1999 to 2001.

Standing at only 5-foot-3, basketball fans relished watching Bogues for his captivating slam dunks and resilient attitude.