NBA Encore: Sebastien De La Cruz, 11, Rebounds From Anthem Racism

After his first performance at the NBA Finals Tuesday night was marred by racist tweets, an 11-year-old Latino boy received a standing ovation for his encore performance of the national anthem Thursday before Game 4 between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, The Associated Press reported.

Sebastien De La Cruz, a mariachi singer who first found fame as a contestant on "America's Got Talent," was congratulated by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at midcourt after he belted out "The Star-Spangled Banner" while boisterous fans cheered him on at the AT&T Center.

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The Spurs arranged the second act as a show of support following a run of disparaging tweets about Latinos and immigrants during De La Cruz's nationally televised performance before Game 3 on Tuesday.

SPURS GOT THIS LITTLE ASS KID LOOKING LIKE HE ABOUT TO SALSA DANCE ALL OVER THE COURT SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

— Marcos Garcia (@MrStealYaChsCke) June 12, 2013

Thought that little dude was gonna sing the Mexican national anthem... #nbafinals

— Lee Rodriguez (@Scumlee_WSSC) June 12, 2013

They should've let this Mexican song the national anthem on his horse

— Taco (@_DonEsco) June 12, 2013

De La Cruz, who was born and raised in San Antonio, said he was grateful and excited for being invited back.

"It makes me feel real good about myself," De La Cruz told the AP. "It makes me feel like, in San Antonio, I know there are a lot of people that encourage me to keep on doing what I want to do."

Before the game, Popovich bemoaned the "idiots" who posted bigoted comments.

"He's a class act," Popovich said. "Way more mature than most his age. And as much as those comments by the idiots saddens you about your country, he makes you feel the future could be very bright."

Other celebrities and politicians also rallied behind De La Cruz. They included San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and actress Eva Longoria, formerly married to Spurs star Tony Parker.

As a Mexican-American, I am so proud of Sebastian De La Cruz, a great symbol of what America is today! #GoSpursGo! http://t.co/rUM9maIJFH

— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) June 13, 2013

Sebastien de la Cruz, your rendition of the national anthem was spectacular! Don't let a few negative voices get you down. @selcharrodeoro

— Mayor Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 13, 2013

Castro, the keynote speaker at last year's Democratic National Convention, introduced the boy Thursday night and gave him an official proclamation from the city.

"The message is that no matter what someone's background is, we have so many Americans who have true talent," Castro said. "And Sebastien is one of them."

Here is De La Cruz's first national anthem performance:





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