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As someone who has been covering sports for a long time now, I sometimes caution people against making athletes their heroes, since none of us really know these guys, even when we think we do. I’m pretty cynical about it, to be honest.
I reserve an exception to my own rule when it comes to Klay Thompson.
During the summer, ESPN runs a series of segments called “My Wish,” in which a famous athlete partners with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a child with a life-threatening medical condition. The latest, broadcast on Wednesday, features the Washington State Cougars alumnus/Golden State Warriors star and a young man from Alaska, Joseph Tagaban, whose wish was to meet the newly crowned four-time NBA champ.
Get your tissues:
If Klay isn’t the genuine, humble superstar he appears to be, it’s the greatest long con I’ve ever seen in my life.
These segments always bring back a flood of memories for me. If you’re not a long-time CougCenter reader, you might not know that my middle son is a survivor of childhood cancer. Diagnosed with leukemia just before his third birthday, we took a Wish trip to Disneyland a year into his treatment. Still can’t watch this without damn near sobbing:
This, by the way, is Trystian now — he just turned 13.
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Sometimes people wonder how much good a Wish really does when a kid and their family are facing medical trauma. Couldn’t that money be spent on medical research or something? Let me tell you: It’s wonderful. It’s wonderful to be able to smile, wonderful to take even a small break from the stress and the bills and the doctor visits.
If you’re interested in ways that you might be able to help with the mission of Make-A-Wish, check out this link. Even donating unused Alaska Airlines miles can help a kid get where they’re going.
Oh, and this also happened yesterday on the slowest sports day of the year:
An ESPY doesn’t compare to winning his fourth championship, but it’s still a cool feather in Klay’s cap.
LINKS
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WSU will host Cal and Stanford at Gibb Pool in Gibb Pool.
Pause on the Palouse: Washington State-Idaho basketball rivalry, played since 1906, has been shelved for this season | Washington State University | nbcrightnow.com
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Despite negotiations stalling, Pac 12 schools will head to Big XII.
Conference realignment: Will the Mountain West Conference expand? - Deseret News
According to commissioner Craig Thompson, several schools have shown interest in joining an expanded MW. Could the MW be a landing spot for Pac-12 or Big 12 programs? How many teams could be added to the MW?
Could the Pac-12's late kickoffs actually be a boost for its media rights?
Pac-12 football: Conference of champions in chaos? - Deseret News
What to make of the fate of Utah and the Pac-12? Will another shoe drop or will things settle down for a while?
Gonzaga to the Big East? What now for the Pac-12’s basketball future? - The Athletic ($)
Brian Hamilton and Dana O'Neil answer your college basketball questions, including predictions on Virginia and Maryland.
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