NBA championship-winner Patty Mills has mad a surprise dash back to Australia to visit bushfire ravaged regions.
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Mills was on the NSW south coast on Saturday, taking advantage of the NBA all-star break to return home.
The Canberra-born star has been using social media to raise worldwide awareness for families and communities affected by the fire destruction.
So while the NBA's biggest names were preparing for the annual all star game in Chicago, Mills made was speaking defence force personnel and toured Cobargo and Mogo.
"Today was heavy," Mills tweeted. "We visited three country towns in New South Wales, massively effected by the wildfires.
"In Mogo, a small heritage town on the South Coast of NSW, we gave back to locals who have lost their homes, businesses and schools.
"...We then trekked to Wallaga Lake to build SOURCE Hydropanels to provide clean drinking water for a small Aboriginal community.
"And finally, we ended the day in Cabargo for an opportunity to listen and learn. A local family welcomed us into their home and shared their devastating reality.
"My observation? These people are incredibly resilient and their spirits are through the roof."
Mills ended his trip by playing basketball on a street court at the Cobargo relief centre.
The 31-year-old has forged a reputation as one of Australia's most respected athletes, leading the fight for equality and building water resources in regional areas.
He has also used his platform as an NBA player to teach the world about indigenous Australians and his family heritage.
"We contributed to Cabargo's relief centre but once again, it is basketball that has brought us together," Mills said, accompanying pictures of him playing basketball against children.
Earlier in the day he made a stop at hardware store Bunnings to buy "generators, torches, portable stoves, batteries, water" for the impacted communities.
"The Australian fires are leaving an unprecedented amount of devastation," Mills said.
"While I've continued to stay focused on court, my heart has been in Australia.
"...These are some of the items that the impacted communities need. Now, more than ever, these people need our business. Support local."