76ers to sign teenager with special needs to contract

[Johnnydollaz89]

The 76ers are having a pretty horrible season, but they may have just made the best deal in franchise history.

The team will sign Kevin Grow, the Bensalem High School senior with Down syndrome who served as the basketball team's manager before suiting up the final two games and scoring 13 points, including four 3-pointers.

Via The Morning Call, Grow will be offered the contract in person from general manager Sam Hinkie.

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 also join the team on the floor toward the end of practice, meet and shoot around with his new teammates, and be greeted by his coaches.

On Tuesday, February 18, before the Sixers host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 p.m., Grow will participate in pregame activities starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center, arriving early with his family to see his locker in the Sixers locker room and receive a custom jersey. Grow will then watch pregame warm-ups, take part in the high-five tunnel when players take the court for the game and stand with his team during the National Anthem.

During a timeout, Grow and the Bensalem High School basketball team will finally take the court for a special presentation to wrap his two days with the Sixers.

With the trade deadline approaching this Thursday and the Sixers sure to be major players, forget it, you can go ahead and grade them already, because this move was a blockbuster.

And hey, they could probably use a sharpshooter anyway.

76ers to sign teenager with special needs to contract - CBSSports.com

Well done, 76ers! I love hearing stories like this, you just made this kid's life. I applaud your franchise.

 

[The Derski]

Class act all the way. Reminds me of when the Diamondbacks did this: Arizona Diamondbacks draft paralyzed player in 34th round - ESPN

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Awesome.

Great opportunity for jokes...

 

[thunderc]

Definitely a cool thing to do.

 

[trojanfan12]

76ers to sign teenager with special needs to contract - CBSSports.com

Well done, 76ers! I love hearing stories like this, you just made this kid's life. I applaud your franchise.

Very, very cool!! Way to go Sixers!!

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Very, very cool!! Way to go Sixers!!

Very cool.

They should have treated Bynum the same way.

 

[trojanfan12]

Very cool.

They should have treated Bynum the same way.

 

[YourFriendGannon]

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

 

[Am I Blue Through it All?]

And to think of all the things they say about Philly and its fans. Well done.

 

[logic]

Very Cool of the Sixers, but how are they getting around the league minimum age requirement?

 

[BOTSLAYER]

They probably signed him as a trainer or staff or assistant. I do not think there is an age requirement for those jobs.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

They probably signed him as a trainer or staff or assistant. I do not think there is an age requirement for those jobs.

Ah yes I past your post count finally & you were here since last may.

 

[logic]

They probably signed him as a trainer or staff or assistant. I do not think there is an age requirement for those jobs.

You're probably right, but the article called them "his teammates" and "his coaches". It would be sweet if they put him in to just get one bucket to have an NBA stat.