Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban loaned the team plane to point guard J.J. Barea, so he could take supplies to his native country Puerto Rico and assist with hurricane relief efforts.
Barea took the plane to the island last, which was hit last week by category 4 storm Hurricane Maria and resulted in the entire island being left without power. The 33-year-old Mavs player boarded the plane with several cases of water and other supplies to take to his home country. He will miss the opening day of the Mavs training camp for this trip.
Barea is the only active Puerto Rican player on the Mavs, where he has played since 2006.
Barea also started an online fundraiser through YouCaring that has raised more than $100,000 for Puerto Rico hurricane relief so far.
“That’s a situation that he’s got to take care of,” said Mavs coach Rick Carlisle. “Mark gave him our team plane. They loaded up with a bunch of stuff, supplies, etc., to take over to Puerto Rico, and they’re going to turn around and come back. He’s going to take his mom and grandmother back with him, and my understanding is his dad is going to stay over there and slug it out with all of the recovery efforts.”
Barea is due back in Texas on Tuesday.
H/T WFAA
