NBA star Tristan Thompson visits hometown of Brampton, receives key to city

Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers maybe an NBA champion, but the Canadian basketball star says healso wants to be a champion of inspiring young peopleto follow their dreams.

"I want to motivate kids, even if it's just one kid, one child to strive for greatness, then I've done my job," Thompson said Friday during a visit to his hometown ofBrampton, where he appeared at his former high school and received the key to the city.

In the morning, the Cavaliers' star centre and power forwardalso visitedthe Brampton Soccer Centre,where he used to playon the outdoor basketball courts.Hebrought along some hardware, the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, to showto a groupof local kids.

"To be able to bring a championship here and show everyone here, it's a big honour," said Thompson.

The Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, ending a 52-year championship drought in Cleveland. The teamdrafted Thompson in 2011. Five years later, he'san integral part of their championship roster.

Brampton city councillor Gurpreet Dhillon, along with several other officials, presented Thompson with thekey in front of a crowdthatincluded the NBA star'smother.

"He embodies what it means to be a Bramptonian," Dhillon said."And he has become a role model for so many youth, not only in Brampton, not only in Canada, but all across our continent."

After receiving the key, Thompson reminisced abouthis determination to make it to the NBA.

Thompson played high school basketball for a year at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School on Dixie Road in Brampton, before going to a prep school in the United States.

"I just remember going to d'Youville and having the dream just to do something," said Thompson.

"Who would have thought, coming here to the soccer centre and playing outside, playing street ball, I would have an NBA championship, it's a blessing, it's a true blessing."