Sixers To Honor Boy During Playoff Game After Surprise Church Visit From Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When Brendon Murphy snapped a photo of his eight-year-old, Evan, unable to peel his eyes away from a Sixers game on TV, he never imagined the very next day, they'd see the star of that screen in real life at church.
"He's loving it, he got to meet Joel [Embiid] for the first time," he said.
The Springfield, Delaware County family thought that meeting was enough of a dream come true — until now.
The Sixers camp saw our story on the little boy, who has Down syndrome and have decided to honor him as a "Strong Kid of the Game."
It's a nod to local kids who have persevered through challenging circumstances.
Joel Embiid Visits Delaware County Church, Makes A New Best Friend
Before an upcoming home game against the Boston Celtics, the team will present Evan with his very own Sixers jersey on the same court on which his idol plays.
An ecstatic Evan has a message for his new best friend, Joel, "I want to have fun with you and practice!"
The team is also organizing a special VIP experience for the little boy, along with his family.
"It's not for me, it's for him," Murphy said. "It's just so touching they'd reach out to him and want to do something special for him because he totally deserves it."
The Sixers play in Boston on Monday night in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
