As the 2019 NCAA champions, the University of Virginia men’s basketball team said they have been asked if they have gotten an invitation to the White House to celebrate their win.
On Friday, the team announced they won’t go.
Coach Tony Bennett said in a tweet the team will decline any invitation from the White House, citing “several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA.”
“We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House. With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation.” – Tony Bennett
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) April 26, 2019
U.Va. player De’Andre Hunter then tweeted: “No Thanks Trump.”
No Thanks Trump ?? https://t.co/WYr1cBJRhW
— De’Andre Hunter (@drehunter_) April 26, 2019
The university’s tweet comes as President Trump defended his response to the white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally two years ago in Charlottesville, where U.Va. is located.
“If you look at what I said, you will see that question was answered perfectly. And I was talking about people that went because they felt very strongly about the monument to Robert E. Lee, a great general,” Trump told reporters Friday. “Whether you like it or not he was one of the great generals. I’ve spoken to many generals right here at the White House, and many people thought of the generals they think he was maybe their favorite general. People were there protesting the taking down of the monument of Robert E. Lee. Everybody knows that.”
