Phoenix Suns Ball Boy - His big debut

Even though the game didn't start until 3:00pm we were asked to be at the arena by 10:45. When we arrived we were given a phone number and told to call Chris Mallory. Mr. Mallory is the Community Relations Manager for the Phoenix Suns. Just as we were headed inside we spotted Joey and the crew unloading their gear across the street. Mr. Mallory invited all of us to Majerle's Sports Grill for lunch and also invited Tom Leander. Mr. Leander was a former Suns ball boy (1976-78) and has been a part of the broadcast team for 16 years, first as a producer and pre-game host and the past six on TV play-by-play. You could tell that he talked for a living. He was so easy going and could keep a conversation going about anything. I was trying to listen to him but was also trying to get Jayen to eat something! We had so much fun talking that we took a little too long to order. Then when the food came out we were talking so much we didn't have enough time to eat it all. It was such a nice way to start the day. Thank you Mr. Leander for sharing your time with us. We had a great time meeting you.

Before we left the restaurant, Mr. Mallory presented Jayen with his new ball boy uniform! He received a new shirt, shorts and a pull over jacket. He was so excited!

After lunch we had to head back to the stadium. Brilyn was once again hanging on Joey. We really need to work on her stranger danger! Not that he was a stranger by this point, but she was overly friendly the entire weekend. It really goes to show how easy he was to be around. We all really liked him!

We followed Mr. Mallory through security, down a couple flights of stairs, underneath the bleachers, and through a tunnel to get directly onto the court. It was breathtaking! Jayen knew immediately what to do and was ready to go. He was introduced to his ball buddy. She was so sweet. At one point she saw me signing to him and asked if he knew sign. She knew sign language and was so excited to sign to him too! Jayen was supposed to pass the ball to the players out warming up, but when he gets a ball in his hand he goes for it. That kid was shooting with all his might. Even though the balls are twice as heavy as the one he uses and the hoop is twice as high, he wouldn't give up. I can't believe how many times he attempted to make it in. He was determined.

The rest of the family was able to sit courtside and watch as Jayen participated like a member of the team. He walked out there and owned the floor. He didn't care that these were million dollar players. He didn't care that they towered over top of him. He didn't care that they have skills he couldn't even dream of. He didn't care as long as he got the ball!

There were a couple specific shots Joey wanted for the video. At his game yesterday they filmed Jayen dribbling the ball in the middle of the court. Today they mimicked that on the Suns court.

Although we loved watching Jayen on the court, some of my favorite moments were the time we were all included. There was a few minutes where no players came out to warm up, so Dalan asked Mr. Mallory if we could go out and shoot with him. For nearly 20 minutes, we were playing basketball as a family on the Phoenix Suns court. The laughs and smiles from every member of my family was the most priceless gift of all.

Another one of my favorite moments was when Tyrone Corbin, assistant coach, was bounce passing the ball with Jayen. He even took the time to try to teach him how to dribble back and forth from left hand to right hand. Jayen didn't catch on to the concept, but you could see he was trying. Somehow, Jayen also convinced him to bounce the ball as high as he could then Jayen would catch it. His giggle and smile were so contagious. I would definitely think that was the highlight of his day. Followed closely behind would be when Mr. Joey asked Mr. Corbin to lift Jayen up and help him dunk the ball.

They had to do the shot a couple of times, but that didn't bother Jayen. He was ready and willing to do it 100 more times. The only problem was getting him down. Jayen grabbed onto the rim each time and wouldn't let go. Again, with a smile bigger than the moon. 

The other kids were jealous, but I think they still had fun. Dalan was a little awe struck when Devin Booker came out to shoot. He was so enthralled that he didn't even notice Jayen was throwing him the ball.

Of course, every chance Jayen would get to show off his skills he took. He probably shot the ball 100,000 times. He wasn't going to give up! But the spark that he had when he was on that court was priceless. You could see he never felt less than anyone else. He never felt different than the players. That, to me, was the most precious moment of all. Jayen felt no less than anyone else! I think that means I am doing my job!

The crew was working out the details and trying to figure out what shots they wanted yet during the game. Jayen was supposed to sit in the chair behind his ball girl friend until someone came to sit there. However, the chair didn't stand a chance when Jayen saw the gorilla come out. He climbed over that thing faster than a runaway freight train. Thankfully they had me close by in case. Well, this was the in case! Jayen and I sat a couple rows back from the court and talked a lot about the gorilla and tried to work through his fears.

Mr. Joey and the crew had to fly out in a couple hours, so after they got all the video they needed they said goodbye and headed towards the airport. I hated seeing them go. We hope and pray this is not the last time we see them. Hopefully they stop and say Hi next time they are in town!

I really wanted to make sure to get a group picture with all of the friends that came to support Jayen. During halftime we ran to the concourse and asked everyone to meet us. I'm so thankful for all of them managing their way through the crowds and walking nearly all the way around the arena to get together for the approximately 2 minutes we were able to stay and chat. You have all made such a difference in our lives and we wouldn't be where we are without you. A super special Thank You goes to my friend Kerrie for making the shirts for everyone. It was not only special that you all were there, but that you were showing your support with your shirts too. We are so blessed!

We weren't able to stay long and chat with our friends since Mr. Mallory was waiting in our seats for us. He was going to try to get Jayen a new ball boy friend to sit with for the second half of the game. We were introduced and getting ready for Jayen to sit with him on the floor again when "you know who" decided to step out on the court again. He couldn't have waited another 5 minutes? Ahhh. Well, that was the end of it. Jayen and I quickly made our way back to the safety of our seats and I worked to calm him down again. We thanked Mr. Mallory for everything and decided to join Dad and the rest of the family at their seats a little further away from the gorilla.

The game started getting interesting right at the end.

The Phoenix Suns came up big in the final 5 seconds on Sunday night. Twice.
The first big shot came with less than five seconds left as Eric Bledsoe put the Suns level with the Boston Celtics, 106-106, after a drive down the left side of the lane.
Boston then inbounded the ball, and with Marquese Chriss defending Isaiah Thomas, it was the Celtics’ star point guard who lost the handle off Chriss’ foot.
The ball bounced right to Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis, who hoisted a 3-pointer as time expired. It went in, and the fans in Arizona went nuts!

As my friend Eva said, I'm not a big basketball fan, but I'm a fan of competition. That was a close competition. The Suns won in the last five seconds and that made for such an exciting ending. Mr. Mallory met us after the game and wanted to take us downstairs to meet some of the players. Good thing they won and were in such good moods.
After weaving though some places I'm sure we would never be allowed to be, Mr. Mallory set us up right outside the locker rooms and gave the kids their own Phoenix Suns basketball for the players to autograph. What an amazing honor to talk to the players and thank them for everything they did to make this day special for our entire family.

Alex Len was the first player to come out! 

At 7'1" it was quite a stretch to get down to the floor to sign the little shrimp's jersey!

Just as far for Dragan Bender. His torso alone was bigger than Brilyn!

Derrick Jones Jr.

Ronnie Price

TJ Warren

Tyson Chandler

Marquese Chriss

Jared Dudley

Leandro Barbosa 

Dalan was awe struck when Devin Booker came out. I still can't believe he is only 20 years old. And super nice!

Tyler Ulis

Eric Bledsoe

Coach Earl Watson! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. An amazing honor.

Alan Williams

Tyrone Corbin, he was the one who lifted Jayen up for his dunk. Thank you Mr. Corbin!

The entire day/weekend truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we can't thank everyone enough for making this all possible. We can't wait to see the video!