From dinners to pick-up basketball, why is Adam Sandler spending so much time in Tucson?

Whether it’s showing up at a restaurant or shooting hoops before a University of Arizona basketball game, Adam Sandler is showing up a lot in Tucson lately.

Why?

Sandler, the former “Saturday Night Live” star who went on to film stardom in movies like “Uncut Gems,” “Hustle” and “Happy Gilmore,” is known as a private person. But he was spotted playing in a 3-on-3 pickup game before the UA-Colorado basketball game Thursday, Jan. 4 at McKale Center in Tucson. (He’s a big basketball fan.)

In December, Sandler showed up at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Tucson for dinner. He had ribs.

“He was great,” a staff member said. “He took pictures with everybody and he was super respectful.”

Why does Adam Sandler keep showing up in Tucson?

So what brings Sandler to Tucson?

His older sister Valerie, who lives there. Kimmel talked about it during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in November.

“I just want to say, my sister, Valerie, I love you,” Sandler said. “My sister was sick, she had to deal with some stuff, she went to a hospital in Tucson, Arizona and their staff took amazing care of her."

He thanked the doctors, nurses and staff. Kimmel, who also has lived in Tucson, then confirmed with Sandler that his sister lived there.

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Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X, formerly known as Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why is Adam Sandler spending so much time in Arizona?