How the Kings helped welcome a U.S. soldier home and surprise his mother

Vanesa Ibarra was walked onto the court after a first-quarter timeout Sunday as the Kings hosted the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center.

The local resident was blindfolded and asked to stand under the basket as Kings ushers put on a dunking display using trampolines lined up in front of the free-throw line.

However, the last person in line was no usher. He was U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon Covey, who walked over to Ibarra - his mother - and removed her blindfold. A stunned Ibarra threw her arms around her son, and they shared a lengthy embrace on the court as the crowd cheered.

According to the Kings, the Black Hawk helicopter crew chief had just returned home after a six-month deployment in the Republic of South Korea.

This story was originally published February 10, 2019 at 5:32 PM.