Feel-good stories are what make the NBA so special.
Highlight reels, superstars, record-breaking performances and championships, among other things, all make the association great. However, there are times when communal purpose and responsibility trumps everything.
This is one of those times.
At the team's practice facility, the Philadelphia 76ers announced they will sign Bensalem High School senior Kevin Grow, who has Down syndrome, on Monday to a "ceremonial two-day contract."
UPDATE: Monday, Feb. 17, at 6:00 p.m. ET by Dan Favale:
Grow's ceremonial signing has been made official by the Sixers:
---End of update---
Philadelphia's official announcement offered the following additional details:
Grow has become an inspiration to the Sixers organization, as his story has swept the nation. Grow, who has Down syndrome, has served as his high school basketball team’s manager for four seasons. His coaches put him on the court for the team’s final two matches of the season, and his first varsity games, in which he scored 14 points, including three 3-pointers and a buzzer beater.
After he signs his two-day contract, Grow will eat dinner in the players lounge, tour the practice facility and receive Sixers gear. He will join the team on the floor toward the end of practice, meet and shoot around with his new teammates, be greeted by his coaches.
This is just wonderful.
Grow, age 18, was featured in a Feb. 8 YouTube video in which he drained four three-pointers in less than two minutes for his high school's varsity basketball team, the Owls, on Senior Day, according to Philly.com's Matt Breen.
