The National Basketball Association thanked Toronto for hosting the All Star Game in February by donating more than $130,000 in basketball equipment to community housing.

"We were pretty floored. It was an amazing donation, extraordinarily generous," said Lisa Murray, spokesperson with Toronto Community Housing (TCH).

Eastern Conference guard DeMar DeRozan slam dunks during the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press)

She says the donation included 300 basketballs and 30 portable nets. Murray first saw the equipment used in June while she was at a day camp at Mornelle Court, a Toronto Community Housing complex near Ellesmere Road and Morningside Avenue. She says about 80 kids were on the basketball court outside.

"The older kids were sort of tutoring, and helping and mentoring the younger kids and helping them improve their game. So that was terrific to see."

In a written statement, the city's senior communications advisor, Deborah Blackstone, said the Toronto Office of Partnerships (TOP) negotiated a deal with the NBA to support four community housing projects:

1021 Birchmount Hub

2585 Jane Street Basketball Refurbishment

Gilder Drive Outdoor Recreational Rejuvenation Project

Mornelle Court

The donation went even further to support "more than 30 additional Toronto Community Housing complexes that required an upgrade in equipment for programs and in the overall facilities," Blackstone said.

Murray says partnerships like the one with the NBA are crucial to TCH, because the corporation's priority is keeping the buildings open and operating, something it can barely afford to do.

"What we have to do is spend a lot of money on the need to have, as opposed to the like to have," she said.

Currently, Murray says the corporation's 10-year capital repair plan is facing a $1.5 billion shortfall and there's a $96- million shortage in TCH's operating budget. The NBA's donation she says is "the kind of equipment we unfortunately don't have the resources to purchase ourselves but really give the kids great opportunities. So we're really appreciative."

According to NBA Canada, giving back is part of the game. "We aim to leave a lasting legacy in each NBA All-Star city, and donations to the community are a regular part of that process" says Dan MacKenzie, the vice president and managing director.

"It shows that they care and they're actually reaching out," said Kevahn Kahn, 20. Kahn lives at Mornelle Court and has tried out the new basketballs and portable nets.

Lisa Murray with TCH was "floored" by the NBA's basketball equipment donation (CBC/Makda Ghebreslassie)

Kahn says donations like this help enhance communities and benefit youth. "We want more people going to the NBA, just like DeRozan, Lowry or any of them."