Autistic teen's 20-point night touches all

This article, by The Associated Press, is about an autistic 17-year-old senior who attended Greece Athena High School. His name is Jason McElwain. Jason, 5-foot-6, was considered too small to make the junior varsity basketball team, so he signed up as the team manager. He took the same role with the varsity basketball team, doing anything to stay near the sport he loves. Jason keeps the stats, runs the clock, and hands out water bottles for the team. Greece Athena’s basketball coach, Jim Johnson was very impressed with Jason’s dedication.

In the final home game of the season, instead of sitting on the bench in a white shirt and black tie, Jason suited up with the rest of the team. Even though Jason was in uniform for the game on February 15, 2006, there wasn't a guarantee he would play. Greece Athena was battling for a division title, but the Greece Athena Trojans opened a large lead against its opponent from the nearby Spencerport. With four minutes left in the game, Jason McElwain took the court. The fans came prepared. In one section, the students held up signs with Jason's nickname "J-MAC" and cutouts of his face placed on sticks.

The ball came to Jason almost right away. He took a 3-point shot, but it sailed completely off course. Jim Johnson wondered if he had made the wrong decision. Jason then missed a layup. Jason’s father said, “The thing about Jason is he isn’t afraid of anything. He doesn’t care what people think about him. He is his own person.” The next Trojan’s possession, Jason got the ball again. This time he made a 3-pointer, nothing but net. Jason McElwain was just warming up. Jason said in a later interview, “As soon as the first shot went in that’s when I started to get going.” On his next attempt, he hit another 3-pointer. After that Jason hit another 3-pointer, and another. Jason would have made one more 3-pointer, but his foot was on the line, so it was counted as a 2-pointer.

Jason McElwain hit six 3-point shots, and finished with 20 points. Jason was carried off the court on his teammates’ shoulders when the game was over. Greece Athena won 79-43, and after the game Jason signed autographs, posed for pictures, and was hoisted by his teammates.

I thought this was an inspirational story. I encourage others to learn more about this story and about Jason McElwain. I also encourage other people to learn more about autism. It is incredible that Jason has overcome some of the challenges of autism. 20 points in four minutes for anyone is very impressive. I am very glad that Coach Jim Johnson gave Jason the chance to play in the final home game of the season. In my opinion, no one deserved the playing time more than Jason McElwain. Jason McElwain didn't begin speaking until he was 5 years old. He lacked social skills but things got easier as he got older. Jason found many friends and made his way through school in Rochester, and he discovered basketball. Finding the game of basketball and getting an opportunity to play was probably one of Jason McElwain's best moments.

Jason said in an interview, "I'll go on to college and I'll try to hoop there. I just love it, it's one of the greatest sports in the world."

I agree with Jason McElwain's mother, who sees this experience as a milestone for her son. "This is the first moment Jason has ever succeeded (and could be) proud of himself. I look at autism as the Berlin Wall, and he cracked it," reflected Debbie McElwain.