Jason Kidd and Make-A-Wish Wisconsin teamed up this week to put a smile on the face of a young fan from J-Kidd’s home state.
Selah Kitchiner, a 14-year-old girl from Sacramento, Calif., who is currently recovering from a kidney transplant, was invited to Milwaukee Bucks shootaround and the team’s Wednesday night win over the Miami Heat through a connection with the Milwaukee chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Selah is recovering well, and looking forward to getting back to full strength and back on the court. She made meeting Jason her wish because she grew up as a big fan of the former point guard and spent her childhood watching the future Hall-of-Famer with her dad, who has since passed away.
“We’ve always been an athletic family, and I just picked basketball as my favorite sport. We just like his style of play.” said Selah. “It’s pretty awesome. I was kind of bragging at school a little bit.”
Selah first met up with the Bucks early Wednesday at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Training Center, where she met Jason and the Milwaukee players during shootaround.
After collecting autographs and watching the team run through its shootaround, Selah got to put up some shots of her own at the practice facility—and her love for the game impressed Coach Kidd.
“To shoot around and watch a beautiful young lady smile, enjoy it and not want to leave, I can coach that type of player,” he joked.
Selah’s special day and with her being the guest of honor on Wednesday night at the team’s game against the Miami Heat. She even brought the squad some good fortune, as they put on an offensive show en route to a 114-108 victory over the Heat.
Overall, it was a tremendous experience for Selah, and Jason applauded the Make-A-Wish foundation for making it happen.
“Make-A-Wish does it right, and you have to applaud them for being able to put people together,” Jason said. “This is what life is all about, no matter how long we’re here. We’re here for a short period, and if we can make someone smile, that’s what it’s all about.”
