LeBron gifts his shoes to 16-yr old Special Olympian

Aaron Miller, who was recently recognized as the MVP at Boston's Special Olympics, was in the sidelines wearing a Boston jersey, when the Cavaliers forward came next to him. James was touched by Miller’s story and wanted to meet him.

Published : Dec 16, 2015 23:13 IST , Chennai

LeBron James has won the NBA Most Valuable Player award four times.
LeBron James has won the NBA Most Valuable Player award four times.
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LeBron James has won the NBA Most Valuable Player award four times.

Sixteen-year old Aaron Miller’s jaw dropped as LeBron James ran towards him and patted his head during the half-time of Cleveland Cavaliers' 89-77 win over Boston Celtics on Tuesday in Boston.

Aaron, who was recently recognized as the MVP at the city’s recent Special Olympics, was in the sidelines wearing a Boston jersey, when the Cavaliers forward came next to him.

The Special Olympics allows children and adults with intellectual difficulties to compete against each other in sport on a daily basis.

Miller was born with severe brain damage that doctors said would physically and mentally paralyze him for life. He has gone through thousands of hours of surgery and physical therapy to play basketball, and he was named the tournament MVP of the Greater Boston Basketball League in the spring.

James was touched by Miller’s story and wanted to meet him. “I wasn’t able to hear the whole story because I was in the game and coach was drawing up a play, but I looked up at the jumbotron and I saw what he’s been through and where he is now — I think the doctors said he would never walk again or talk again, or something like that — this game means so much more than basketball,” James said.

Later, the two-time NBA champion gifted his shoes to Aaron.

“I also saw he had my shoes on, I designed those shoes for kids with conditions where they’re not able to tie their own shoestrings. He had a pair on. Those shoes he had on are made for kids who can’t tie their own shoes, it’s just one strap and they’re able to get them on with one hand or whatever the case may be.

When I saw that and I saw his story, I just felt like I was a part of him. I just showed him my respect and gave him my shoes. It was well-received by him.”

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