Lowry gives back to ’Nova

PHILADELPHIA — Philanthropy has been part of Kyle Lowry’s DNA, giving off the court with the same kind of passion and commitment as he gives on the floor when he’s sacrificing for teammates or producing big shots in crunch time.

With the Raptors playing in Philly, Lowry, a native son, provided his alma mater, Villanova, with a $1-million US contribution to the school’s initiative dubbed “For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change.”

Alumni of the basketball program have given in the past, but at no time has a product of the program given so much as Lowry has with his pledge. The locker room at Villanova’s newly renovated home arena will bear Lowry’s name.

The Raptors all-star point guard and his wife, Ayahna, a fellow Philadelphian, established a foundation in 2013 that helps those in need in both Philly and Toronto.

A staple of the foundation has been the annual Christmas shopping spree at Toys R Us with kids being the beneficiaries of the Lowry largesse.

Later Monday, Lowry was to receive the Native Son Award from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association.

“Unfortunately we lost or it would have made for a spectacular day,’’ said Lowry following his team’s 117111 setback to the Sixers. “I got the opportunity to give back to my alma mater, an opportunity to make them better and grow that organization with the program.

“And tonight (Monday) I’m getting an award I never thought I’d be getting.”

One of Lowry’s biggest inspirations at Nova is Alvin Williams, a former Wildcat and one of the most beloved Raptors in club history.