College player with heart ailment gets last dunk

WASHINGTON, USA – Tyler Adams came to Georgetown University hoping to follow the path to NBA stardom taken by fellow big men Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning.

But a heart ailment ended his career after only four games as a freshman in 2011, or so he thought until Saturday, March 7.

Adams had the chance to live his dream a final time, if only for a moment, after having spent four seasons as a team manager who practiced, worked out with the Hoyas and sat on the team bench during games.

Georgetown coach John Thompson III received a waiver from the National Collegiate Athletic Association allowing Adams to briefly play in the team’s final home game Saturday against Seton Hall.

Adams, a senior, was given the surprising start for his final home game, a tear rolling down his right cheek when he was announced in the opening lineup.

Georgetown won the opening tip, guard Jabril Trawick passed the ball to Adams near the Seton Hall basket and Adams made an uncontested slam dunk that even had opposing Pirates players applauding in appreciation.

Seton Hall players backed off defensively in their own tribute to Adams, a move not pre-arranged.

The Hoyas fouled immediately to stop the game and Adams was removed to a standing ovation from the crowd in the home arena of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and congratulations from both teams, the moment of sportsmanship by far the outstanding play for both sides in Georgetown’s eventual 73-67 triumph. – Rappler.com