NBA star Kyrie Irving has donated $50,000 to a fundraiser launched by Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, in honor of what would have been Tamir’s 23rd birthday.
Tamir was just 12 years old when he was shot and killed by Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann on November 22, 2014, while playing in a park with a toy gun. His death sparked national outrage and became a defining moment in the Black Lives Matter movement.
To mark Tamir’s birthday this year, Samaria Rice launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for donations of $23 to represent the 23 years Tamir would have turned. The fundraiser supports the Tamir Rice Foundation, a nonprofit she founded to serve inner-city youth in Cleveland through art and cultural programs.
“I miss my son so much each and every day,” Samaria wrote on the fundraiser page. “I purchased a building in the city of Cleveland to give back to our inner-city youth with art and cultural developments.”
The campaign, launched on June 9, aims to raise $110,000. Thanks in large part to Irving’s generous contribution on June 25, the total has now surpassed $85,000, with more than 1,180 people contributing.
Irving, who was raised in New Jersey, has a long track record of supporting social justice causes. His $50K donation is the latest example of his continued commitment to activism and philanthropy.
The Dallas Mavericks point guard recently opted out of his contract to reportedly sign a three-year, $119 million extension, keeping him with the team through the 2027–28 season. He helped lead the Mavs to the NBA Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics. Irving is currently recovering from an ACL injury and is expected to miss the start of the next season.
Despite his injury, Irving continues to make an impact — not just on the court, but in the communities that need it most.
