ORLANDO, Fla. – Gainesville police officer Bobby White and the nine boys he played basketball with were invited to watch the Orlando Magic take on the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
The Orlando Magic will host 10 special VIPs at the game on Sunday. Officer Bobby White and the nine Gainesville youth that played basketball in the street that got the attention of Shaquille O'Neal.
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The Magic will honor White as a Harris Hometown Hero which recognizes first responders prior to each Magic home game. Officer White will also receive a $1,000 donation for Gainesville Police Department's youth program as part of State Farm's "Exist to Assist" program. The program honors those that inspire others to do good in their community.
White made headlines when a video of him responding to a noise complaint in an inner-city neighborhood. White did not scold the boys for noise made from playing basketball; instead, he picked up a ball and began playing with them. The dashcam video was posted and went viral, receiving more than 14 million views.
"We're going to let kids by kids. We are going to focus on the ones that commit crimes. #HoopsNotCrime," Gainesville Police Department posted in the Facebook post accompanying the video.
White told the boys that he would return another day for a second game, only he would bring other officers. However, O'Neal had seen the video and asked to take part in the second game. Needless to say the boys were surprised when they saw the police ringer.
Take a look as a few photos from the event below.