'True inspiration': Patty Mills' surprise visit to bushfire ravaged towns

Most NBA players use the NBA’s All-Star break to get some much needed rest - but Patty Mills isn’t like most NBA players.

With all eyes on the league’s best and brightest in Chicago for the All-Star game, Mills decided to forgo the opportunity to rest up in the middle of the NBA’s gruelling 82-game schedule and make a surprise trip back home.

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Mills used his break to visit three bushfire-affected towns in country New South Wales, assisting the Australian Defence Force with recovery efforts.

The San Antonio Spurs star travelled to the fire-ravaged communities of Mogo and Cobargo.

Mills also helped build hydropanels to assist the Indigenous community in Wallaga Lake gather clean drinking water.

“Today was heavy,” Mills wrote on Saturday evening. ⠀⠀

“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.

“We contributed to Cabargo’s relief centre but once again, it is basketball that has brought us together.”

Fans appreciate Patty Mills’ visit

Mills’ surprise visit was met with praise from fans online.

Several took to Twitter to thank Mills for his efforts, with some labelling the 2014 NBA champion ‘a true inspiration’.