Phoenix Suns surprise math student with a shopping spree

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Suns and Mercury surprised a Valley math student with a shopping spree before his big trip to New York.

Xavier Lara-Torres is an eighth-grader who won a math competition at his local Boys and Girls Club in Guadalupe.

With that big win, he will represent Phoenix at the Math Hoops Global Championship in New York.

“The competition had to do with math. I had to present a video on why they should chose me. After a few math questions, they selected me and I was real happy and surprised,” Lara-Torres said.

Annexus gave Xavier some spending money for the trip.

After that, Suns Forward Josh Okogie, the Suns Gorilla and Scorch loaded him up with a ton of Suns gear. He picked out hats, jerseys, shorts, basketballs and even something for his mom.

His mom, Cynthia Lara-Torres, gets to travel with Xavier for the big trip; she is excited about her son’s accomplishment.

“I was shocked today. I was expecting a quick interview and then everyone showed up. All of this was a great experience and I am grateful he gets to go,” Cynthia said.

NBA Math Hoops uses the game of basketball to build fundamental math and social skills for students.

His big competition will be on June 30 and this will be Xavier’s first trip to New York.

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