8 Year Old Boy Drafted to Memphis Grizzlies

ScolaIsBallin · Dec 30, 2013

. Memphis, TENN. (FOX13) -
To be a Grizzlie for a day, it's something many of us can only dream of, but for one Memphis boy, that dream came true.

8-year old Charvis Brewer has been a Grizzlies fan all his life, so when Make-A-Wish asked him if he could get anything in the world, what would it be? He knew right away, he wanted to be drafted to the Memphis Grizzlies.

At the team's practice on December 29th, 8-year old Charvis Brewer was calling the shots, giving the team a lot of tips on what they need to work on.

"Shoot, lay ups, and dunking, dunking the ball!" Charvis said.

Charvis has been a Grizzlies fan from day one.

"Ever since he knows about basketball!" his stepfather Michael Douglas said.

Charvis got to spend the day at team practice, meeting players and getting in on the team huddle.

"Charvis doesn't get a chance to do stuff like regular kids, he has cerebral palsy, and he cannot walk so today, it's all about him," his mother Colissia Brewer said.

"He likes basketball, he goes to school, he can do everything, but walk," Douglas added.

Charvis's condition has left him wheelchair-bound since birth, but Make-A-Wish and the Grizzlies are putting him on the court.

"The smile on his face, it was a picture worth a thousand words," Make-A-Wish Director of Community Relations Miranda Harbor said, "He was ecstatic, and we love to see these wonderful exciting moments for our wish kids when they get to see their wish come true."

At practice, the team welcomed the Grizzlies' newest team member, Charvis Brewer, with open arms.

And as for Charvis's prediction for Monday night's game? His money's on the Grizz.

"Yep, it's the Grizzlies' house, they play here!" Charvis said.

The fun doesn't stop there, Charvis and his family will be headed to see the Grizzlies take on the Chicago Bulls December 30th.
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http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/2...omes-memphis-grizzlie-for-a-day#axzz2oyqon9e2

The Grizzlies have to be my second favorite team. Wish we could get Z-Bo here

PinkTacos · Dec 30, 2013

I like hearing stories like this...kinda restores my faith in humanity a little, or at least until I turn on the news...

FLASH21 · Dec 30, 2013

Funny, I believe there what's second favorite team as well.

CasaDolce · Dec 30, 2013

Heart-warming story.

willus · Dec 30, 2013

Great post, love these stories. Very deep and meaningful.

Lihao · Dec 30, 2013

We should do something similar.Love it.

vator · Dec 30, 2013

PinkTacos said: ↑

I like hearing stories like this...kinda restores my faith in humanity a little, or at least until I turn on the news...
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Stupid Matt Schaub

LCAhmed · Dec 30, 2013

Great story.on a slighly similar note, I saw Dallas has a fantasy camp where you can become a maverick for a day. You run drills, get jerseys, get to play scrimmages. Wish the rockets could do something like that.

Pieman2005 · Dec 30, 2013

The kid is about to show the world he's on Kevin Duran't level

Great story!

Kam · Dec 30, 2013

Lihao said: ↑

We should do something similar.Love it.
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The rockets kinda did.

Juxtaposed Jolt · Dec 30, 2013

Memphis should trade him to a contender.

J.R. · Dec 30, 2013

Kam said: ↑

The rockets kinda did.
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Correct.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/11/19/RGBMAWCarlyWrightCompressedmp4-3046482

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...p-make-a-high-school-students-wish-come-true/

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=247188

Stack24 · Dec 30, 2013

PinkTacos said: ↑

I like hearing stories like this...kinda restores my faith in humanity a little, or at least until I turn on the news...
Click to expand...

It definitely is a nice and touching story to hear, but at the same time makes you realize this is one of so many other kids that are sick in the world that possibly never get the chance to do the things they wish.

Hopefully they can help more and more.

ScolaIsBallin · Dec 30, 2013

The full story

Make-A-Wish recipient Charvis Brewer and his older brother, Nicholas, get a behind-the-scenes tour from Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Zach Randolph.
Brittney Williford Photography

Make-A-Wish recipient Charvis Brewer and his older brother, Nicholas, get a behind-the-scenes tour from Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Zach Randolph on Sunday.

Charvis Brewer, an 8-year-old super-fan of the Memphis Grizzlies, has bragging rights that most children can only dream about.

On Sunday, the basketball team drafted Charvis as its newest and youngest member. The ceremony, complete with a mock press conference, team photograph and visit to the locker room, was orchestrated by Make-A-Wish, a non-profit wish-granting organization for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

David Joerger, head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies, speaks at a press conference with 8-year-old Charvis Brewer on Sunday. Charvis' mom, Colissa Brewer, laughs happily behind her son.
Brittney Williford Photography

David Joerger, head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies, speaks at a press conference with 8-year-old Charvis Brewer on Sunday. Charvis' mom, Colissa Brewer, laughs happily behind her son.

Charvis has cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that confines him to a wheelchair. His mother, Colissa Brewer, and a home health aide tend to his every need.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Brewer said of the Grizzlies’ welcoming gesture. “I never imagined he would get a chance to do something like that.”

Despite his illness, Charvis attends school and is the kind of basketball fan who can rattle off facts about his favorite team and their opponents. About a year ago, he was referred to Make-A-Wish Mid-South, the Memphis-based chapter of the national organization.

Charvis Brewer, the newest and youngest member of the Memphis Grizzlies, beams with excitement on Sunday.
Joe Murphy / NBAE / Getty Images

Charvis Brewer, the newest and youngest member of the Memphis Grizzlies, beams with excitement on Sunday.

When volunteers asked what Charvis would like to wish for more than anything in the world, he shared his fantasy of being drafted by the Grizzlies. Since then, his mother told TODAY.com, Charvis kept wondering: Would his dream come true?

He got his answer on Sunday when the Brewer family, including Charvis’ sister, brother and stepfather, went to brunch in Memphis, about an hour’s drive from their home in Somerville, Tenn.

At the end of the meal, Memphis Grizzlies announcer Pete Pranica charged into the dining room and called out Charvis’ name. Pranica had great news — the Grizzlies had a supplemental draft and they chose Charvis.

Charvis Brewer, 8, was astonished when Grizzlies announcer Pete Pranica burst into a Memphis restaurant on Sunday and told the Brewer family that Charvis had been drafted by the team.
Brittney Williford Photography

Charvis Brewer, 8, was astonished when Grizzlies announcer Pete Pranica burst into a Memphis restaurant on Sunday and told the Brewer family that Charvis had been drafted by the team.

Mike Conley, a guard for the Grizzlies and a favorite player of Charvis’, joined the festivities with a jersey made for the team’s newest member. A limousine then ferried the Brewers to the basketball arena where the players awaited Charvis’ arrival.

The whirlwind included eating lunch with the team, watching practice, visiting the weight room and quizzing the players about basketball. Miranda Harbor, director of community outreach for Make-A-Wish Mid-South, said Charvis was thrilled and quickly took his place on the team, even offering suggestions on player positions and strategies.

Image: Charvis Brewer and Zach Randolph
Brittney Williford Photography

Player Zach Randolph had Charvis Brewer tour the Grizzlies' locker room and then surprised the 8-year-old with his very own locker.

The team just as quickly embraced Charvis. “He’s a great kid that comes from a great family and is so full of life,” Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien said in a statement to TODAY.com. “We are a bigger fan of his than he is of ours.”

Each year Make-A-Wish grants 14,000 requests, more than 1,000 of which are celebrity- and sports-related. While the organization has previously “drafted” children to their favorite sports teams, Harbor said Charvis is the first in the area to join the Grizzlies.

Memphis Grizzlies players surrounded Charvis Brewer before practice on Sunday. Charvis had all sorts of tips to share with them.
Brittney Williford Photography

Memphis Grizzlies players surrounded Charvis Brewer before practice on Sunday. Charvis had all sorts of tips to share with them.

The fun will continue for Charvis on Monday night as he and his family watch the Grizzlies battle the Chicago Bulls from box seats. It will be only the second Grizzlies game that Charvis has attended. This time, though, he will give the players high-fives as they run onto court.

His mother said Charvis has been preparing all day for his new role on the team: “He said he’s ready to tell them to beat those Bulls.”

Team photo! Charvis Brewer settled into his new role as a member of the Grizzlies with ease.
Joe Murphy / NBAE / Getty Images

Team photo! Charvis Brewer settled into his new role as a member of the Grizzlies with ease.

Though Charvis will watch from the sidelines, he is exploring the possibility of one day competing in Special Olympics basketball.

For now, Charvis and his family are enjoying the special attention. “It made me feel like somebody else cared,” Colissa Brewer said. “Somebody took out time to do something my baby really wanted to do.”
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khanhdum · Dec 30, 2013

child labor rules anybody?!! 8 years old and working?!!!

lol pretty awesome for the organization to set that up for him

el gnomo · Dec 30, 2013

The Knicks were the first to do this... they signed some handicapped dude and his lil bro to long term contracts! Although I heard they recently released lil bro...

(not to make light of this great story... just taking a shot at the Knicks/JR Smith)

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