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Following racist tweets, young mariachi loudly cheered in national anthem encore at NBA Finals
SAN ANTONIO – An 11-year-old Latino boy whose singing of the national anthem at the NBA Finals set off a barrage of racist tweets earned a roaring ovation in an encore performance Thursday night.
Sebastien De La Cruz, a mariachi singer, was congratulated by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at midcourt afterward.
His second act followed an outpouring of support following disparaging tweets about Latinos during his nationally televised performance before Game 3 this week.
Popovich bemoaned “idiots” who posted bigoted comments. He called De La Cruz “a class act.”
Other celebrities and politicians are also rallying behind De La Cruz. They include San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and actress Eva Longoria, formerly married to Spurs star Tony Parker.
Castro introduced the boy Thursday night.
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