Seven years later, and his 15 minutes still aren’t up for good reason.
Jason McElwain gained national recognition in February 2006 when the autistic basketball trainer was put into a game on Senior Night and scored 20 points in four amazing minutes. It would be his only appearance, but the video (below) was picked up by ESPN and McElwain became known nation-wide. He would get the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey and Kobe Bryant.
Now, Greece Athena, the Rochester-area high school he attended, plans on retiring “J-Mac’s” No. 52 jersey next season in a fitting honor, according to USA Today.
“He’s pretty pumped, and that’s probably an understatement,” coach Jim Johnson told the website when asked for McElwain’s reaction to the news.
It’s only the second basketball jersey the high school has retired in its history. The first being former Syracuse star and Knicks forward John Wallace.
“To be next to the great John Wallace… that team was just unbelievable,” McElwain said.
The ceremony will be Dec. 20 for McElwain, who continues to have a role in the varsity basketball program. Though, his greatest memories will likely be from that 2006 season for his accomplishments and for the team’s.
“We won sectionals that year. It was an unbelievable run,” McElwain said.