INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Indiana Pacers took time out from their current homestand to host their annual holiday shopping spree.
"It's my favorite holiday, Christmas. Because, you know, growing up, it was always my favorite. There's a lot of energy around Christmas," said Victor Oladipo. "I didn't get a lot of things, but I did like the energy. It felt like the whole world changed, almost."
Oladipo and several of his teammates played Santa Claus at Circle Centre Mall Tuesday for children with life-threatening illnesses.
"The greatest thing about memories, unlike a lot of things, they can't be stolen or broken. Memories are something that you'll always remember. No matter how old you get, no matter what you're doing. I still remember stuff when I was 11 and 8. It's pretty cool I can give them this memory," Oladipo said.
The Pacers were paired up with kids for the shopping trip, which included a new pair of shoes for Oladipo's crew and an interview from budding sportscaster "Mighty" Mason Garvey:
Mason asked Oladipo if his sore right knee would be healthy enough to go against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, but the Pacers star would only reveal the knee was "pretty good" and that he hoped to be back soon.