While NBA fans around the world are anxiously waiting for this Thursday’s NBA Draft, to find out which top prospect their favorite team will pick, one fan in particular is more partial to the day before the draft. That fan, Justin Friedlander of Rockville, Md., will have the opportunity to join some of those same prospects at an NBA FIT clinic in Madison Square Garden. Mind you, Justin isn’t just any basketball fan. While you might not recognize his name, you might recognize the name of his initiative — Justin’s Quest.
Justin is 13 years old, and in March of 2009, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, one that sits on his optic nerve. Instead of just giving up, Justin and his family sprang to action. Less than two months after his diagnosis, according to the Justin’s Quest website, he helped raise nearly $50,000 through the Race for Hope in D.C., to help with brain tumor research. Later in 2009, he started Justin’s Quest, with a goal of finding a cure for brain tumors. And in a unique twist on raising funds, Justin decided to shoot 63,000 baskets (up from an initial goal of 40,000), one for every person in the US who’s diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. The money raised will go toward the National Brain Tumor Society.
But as noted on the site, he can’t do it alone, so, as he’s quoted, “I plan on asking friends, family, athletes, rock stars, politicians and even the president to shoot a basket with me. If you can shoot a basket, come shoot with me.”
And, according to this release, that’s just what the future NBA stars will be doing with Justin tomorrow (June 23) afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Madison Square Garden, along with 100 kids from New York City. The NBA FIT clinic will feature six drill stations, one of which is the Justin’s Quest “Free Throw Shooting Challenge,” and every shot made there will go toward Justin’s goal. You can find out more about Justin’s Quest here.
Screengrab of justinsquest via YouTube.