Suns’ Josh Jackson surprises young fan with NBA Draft Lottery invite
May 9, 2018, 9:10 AM
PHOENIX — Nine-year-old Jazmyne Weber from El Mirage battles Spina Bifida and has been invited to the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago next week to join Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson.
Jackson surprised Jazmyne at Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center in Phoenix where she typically attends physical therapy. As Jazmyne rolled down a ramp to head to the basketball court she was surprised with a new, personalized Phoenix Suns-themed wheelchair from Jackson, as well as an invitation to Chicago for the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery.
Today @j_josh11 & the @Suns invited
9 yr. old Jazmyne Weber, who battles Spina Bifida to the #NBADraftLottery2018 & gave her this super cool customized wheel chair.Her good luck charm she plans on bringing to Chicago, she says it’s her big heart. 💜🏀🧡 @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/xcQaBaCkLQ
— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) May 8, 2018
“I am here because I want to invite you to the draft lottery in Chicago,” Jackson told Weber. “Hopefully you can bring us some luck to get the number one pick.”
Jazmyne was diagnosed with Spina Bifida while still in the womb but despite being in a wheel chair, she loves being active. She is passionate about basketball and always cheers for her favorite teams, the Suns and Phoenix Mercury.
“I was just amazed they gave me this cool wheel chair and I am thinking I will take it to school tomorrow to show everyone how much of a fan I am,” Jazmyne said.
The Suns worked in partnership with HopeKids, which provides support for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition, to surprise Jazmyne with the wheelchair to help her follow her passion of playing wheelchair basketball. Through the partnership the team was informed of Jazmyne’s story. Jazmyne will be joined by her mother, Tordis, and 12-year-old sister Jhaviana on the trip to Chicago.
“I love her energy, she has a huge spirit,” Jackson said. “I think we mesh well together. I laugh, she makes me laugh and I make her laugh. I hope the energy she brings on the trip with me to Chicago can help the Suns get the pick we need.”
When Jazmyne was asked what she plans to bring her as her good luck charm to the event, she said her big heart. Jackson added he’ll be wearing his lucky underwear in hopes of bringing home the No. 1 pick.
The Suns enter the lottery with the best odds of getting the No. 1 pick at 25 percent. The teams behind them in the odds include the Memphis Grizzlies at 19.9 percent, the Dallas Mavericks at 13.8 percent, the Atlanta Hawks at 13.7 percent and the Orlando Magic at 8.8 percent.
