BLACK BY GOD: How a West Virginia kid got to fist-bump LeBron James on his birthday at a Lakers game

A 9-year-old from West Virginia traveled to Orlando, Florida, for his birthday and got the surprise of a lifetime when he fist-bumped LeBron James during a Los Angeles Lakers game.

By Tru Philllips, Age 9 | Black By God, Youth, Donate here.

My birthday was March 21, and I turned 9 years old.

To celebrate, my family took me to Orlando, Florida. I was excited because we were going to SeaWorld and an NBA game to watch the Los Angeles Lakers play the Orlando Magic.

The trip started with a plane ride. Flying with my family was fun, and I liked looking out the window and watching everything get smaller and smaller below us.When we got to Orlando, we checked into our hotel. On the way, we spotted a basketball court and stopped to play. The basketballs there were flat and bumpy, but some teenagers let us use their ball, and we ended up having a great game.

The next day, we went to SeaWorld.

The rides were crazy. One roller coaster had me screaming the whole time. I thought I was going to pass out! We also rode water rides, saw animals, and spent the day having fun together.

But the thing I was most excited about was the Lakers game! 

I have been a LeBron James fan for as long as I can remember. I watch his games, cheer for the Lakers, and always hope they win. When we walked into the arena, I couldn’t believe how big it was. There were lights everywhere and thousands of fans. Then the game started. LeBron made a huge dunk, and the crowd went crazy.

But the craziest part happened at halftime. As the players were coming out of the tunnel, I got close enough to fist-bump LeBron James! My favorite basketball player of all time.I couldn’t believe it was really happening.

For years, I had watched him on TV from West Virginia. Now I was standing there, and he was right in front of me.

Then Luka Doncic gave me a high five. His hands were sweaty, but I didn’t care because I had just high-fived one of the best players in the NBA.

As if that wasn’t enough, I ended up dancing on the Jumbotron and got a free prize too! Then the Lakers hit a buzzer-beater.The whole arena exploded. And the Lakers won.

By the end of the night, I had gone from being a kid from West Virginia watching LeBron James on TV to fist-bumping him on my birthday.

It was the best birthday I have ever had, and it’s a memory I’ll never forget. Thank you Mom & Dad!