By Sandi Moynihan

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait–

As part of the NBA Cares Hoops for Troops program, NBA legend Kevin Martin, coach Monty Williams and WNBA legend Ruthie Bolton embarked on a multi-day USO tour to three U.S. military installations in Kuwait.

During the tour, the trio surprised troops at work, learned about the military and participated in meet-and-greet sessions at each base. This was the first USO experience for all three participants.

“I have a huge respect for the military…because they sacrifice a lot,” said Bolton, who also served 10 years in the Army Reserve.

“There’s a saying that they do more by 10 a.m. then people do all day. I have huge respect for them.”

Monty Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Kevin Martin pose at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
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Monty Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Kevin Martin pose at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

Ruthie Bolton smiles with service members.
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Ruthie Bolton smiles with service members.

Kevin Martin coaches service members.
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Kevin Martin coaches service members.

Ruthie Bolton and Kevin Martin smile with service members.
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Ruthie Bolton and Kevin Martin smile with service members.

Kevin Martin poses with a service member.
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Kevin Martin poses with a service member.

NBA coach Monty Williams smiles with a service member at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
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NBA coach Monty Williams smiles with a service member at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

Monty Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Kevin Martin pose at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
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Monty Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Kevin Martin pose at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.

Ruthie Bolton takes a selfie with a service member.
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Ruthie Bolton takes a selfie with a service member.

Ruthie Bolton and Kevin Martin flex with service members.
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Ruthie Bolton and Kevin Martin flex with service members.

Kevin Martin smiles while talking with service members.
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Kevin Martin smiles while talking with service members.

Ruthie Bolton coaches service members.
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Ruthie Bolton coaches service members.

Kevin Martin coaches service members.
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Kevin Martin coaches service members.

Ruthie Bolton coaches service members.
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Ruthie Bolton coaches service members.

At Camp Arifjan, one of the stops on the tour, Martin, Williams and Bolton had the opportunity to coach service members at in an evening basketball game. The game, which went into double overtime and was followed by a meet-and-greet at the USO center, drew a slew of spectators from across the base.

“To be able to come over here and provide a bit of nostalgia, a bit of normalcy, a positive reminder of what it’s like back home, but also to encourage them that what they do back home makes a difference and that we all appreciate it [is important],” Williams said.

On their last day on tour, the trio attended a USO NBA Finals viewing party at the USO center. The party was featured twice on live television during the beginning of Game 4 between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 8, a game the Warriors won to clinch their third world title in four years.

“Anytime you can get a chance to see who protects our great nation, our military women and men, its just an opportunity that you can’t pass up,” Martin said.