He stood in the tunnel bouncing up and down, wearing his No. 33 Sixers jersey and waiting for public address announcer Matt Cord to say his name.
Kevin Grow was the final player announced before Tuesday’s opening tip between the Sixers and Cavaliers.
Grow is an 18-year old Bensalem High School senior who spent four years as the basketball team’s manager. But on Feb. 8 Grow, who has Down syndrome, was inserted into the lineup for the final two minutes in a game on Senior Night against rival Neshaminy High School.
Grow caught fire from behind the arc once on the court, making 4 of 5 three-point attempts. He finished with 14 points.
Grow’s celebrity grew when the video of his jumpers went viral. The Sixers decided a two-day ceremonial contract was in order, and for the past two days Grow has spent time with the team.
Grow went to the Sixers practice on Monday night, shooting with the players and wearing official Sixers practice gear. On Tuesday, Grow took part in pregame activities and even got his own locker decorated with a game jersey.
"Nice jersey, right? We had a guy last year he was No. 33. He never wore it," Evan Turner said in reference to Andrew Bynum, who also wore No. 33. "It's all yours."
Grow’s temporary teammates knew of his accomplishment and embraced him being around.
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“That was awesome,” Michael Carter Williams said. “I am glad he is here with us.”
Carter-Williams was asked what he thought of Grow’s three-point form.
“It’s really good. We could use him,” he said.
“For him to be a part of us is a good thing and I hope he had a great time,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said.
Fittingly, Grow was joined by his Bensalem teammates at center court during the second quarter. Fans in attendance applauded the group for truly appreciating a fellow student’s accomplishments and the fun it brought to his life.