OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry helped create a memorable night for a high school basketball player with cerebral palsy.
Curry, playing in his first regular-season game after winning the NBA All-Star Game’s MVP award, set up a meeting with Matthew Spellman, who plays for Neah-Kah-Nie High School in Rockaway, Oregon, The East Bay Times reported.
Spellman was born nearly three months premature and was diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, brain damage that led to a form of cerebral palsy affecting his left side, The Oregonian reported.
If you're watching the @warriors @trailblazers game and saw the little clip showing Oregonian Matthew Spellman watch his hero @StephenCurry30, read up on #13 from my colleague @thallmanjr https://t.co/BriYMBamzp
— Andrew Theen 🎙🏀🎙 (@andrewtheen) February 25, 2022
Doctors told Spellman’s parents that the boy would likely never walk. However, after years of surgeries, physical and occupational therapy, Spellman was able to play basketball and made his high school varsity team, according to the newspaper.
A story written by The Oregonian about Spellman’s battle caught the eye of Curry and the Warriors, who invited the teen to Golden State’s game Thursday night. Spellman got to watch the Warriors’ 132-95 win against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, the Times reported.
Spellman got to watch Curry during his pregame warmups from seats along the baseline, and then got to meet his favorite player after the game, the newspaper reported.
“It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true for that kid,” Brandon Spellman told The Oregonian about his son’s experience. “He’s loved him since 2009. And that’s what’s driven him to do what he does.”
Matthew Spellman got to present the game ball to the officials before tipoff. Then he watched Curry score 18 points with 14 assists to lead the Warriors.
After the game, Curry chatted with the teen and his family, signing multiple autographs, the Times reported. Then the NBA star posed for photos with the family.
“You made his life,” Cheryl Spellman told Curry about his son’s evening, the newspaper reported.
“It was awesome,” Matthew Spellman told The Oregonian. “I don’t even know. I can’t describe it. It was a good time. I had a great time at the game. I can’t believe I met Steph.”
©2022 Cox Media Group
