Over 110 participants from more than nine counties participated in the Special Olympics basketball tournament.
Dev Shah turned 16 on Friday, Feb. 15. But instead of celebrating with a big party, he’s participating in the Special Olympics basketball tournament.
During a game inside Maclellan Gym, he landed a two-point basket then immediately gave the three-finger hand sign made famous by the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry.
His mother, Shilpa Shah, says Dev loves basketball and plays every day after school.
“He will come home and immediately start playing on the basketball hoop. He’ll have friends come over and all they’ll do is play.”
He was one of more than 110 athletes from more than nine counties who participated in the 2019 Special Olympics basketball tournament held in Maclellan. Micah Hutcherson, who also participated in the Special Olympics games, sang the national anthem.
Lee Maclellan, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Maclellan—the namesakes of the gym—was on hand for the games, saying he has always loved sports, but the Special Olympics is “a cool thing.”
He remembers visiting the city’s Orange Grove Center, which serves people with physical and intellectual disabilities, after the Special Olympics and the winners “would constantly show me their blue ribbons.”
Beth Webb, Special Olympics program director and a UTC alum, said she hopes the event gives the community and those with differing abilities the chance to build relationships.
“I hope this brings about connections that they wouldn’t necessarily have within our community,” Webb says.
Dev’s mother was in the stands as he played but jokingly said she made him a promise not to stay too long.
“He plays better when I’m not around, so I told him I would only stay for one game.”
