Danilo Gallinari joined fellow international stars Rui Hachimora and Ricky Rubio to deliver a message about the coronavirus on behalf of the World Health Organization and the NBA Player’s Association.
The video, posted on the NBA’s Twitter account, starts with Gallinari saying that he knows “we are facing a very tough moment with the spread of the coronavirus”.
Hachimura then adds that “it’s tough but we all have to help each other”, followed by Rubio giving a shout out to “doctors, nurses, medical staff and all others who are working hard to keep us safe at this time”.
The video also emphasizes the need to pay attention to the advice of health experts when it comes to the necessary precautions to keep people safe, such as washing your hands or engaging in social distancing, and ensuring that the information being passed along regarding the coronavirus is accurate and credible.
A special message from @gallinari8888, @rui_8mura and @rickyrubio9 on behalf of the @WHO & @TheNBPA. #NBATogether pic.twitter.com/k7jCLI6Hs7
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2020
The NBA has been on indefinite hiatus since March 12, when Adam Silver announced an immediate suspension of games and team practices after Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert, became the first player in the league to test positive for the coronavirus.
Since then, 13 other players from six different teams have also received positive test results, including former Thunder star, and currently Brooklyn Net Kevin Durant, and the Celtics’ Marcus Smart.
On Friday, the NBA made the additional move to close all team practice facilities to both players and staff.