Emanuel Duncan has always called LeBron James his hero, but it’s real now.
Last month, Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star featured Duncan in a piece, describing a life of the teenager who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair as a result. If you’re unfamiliar with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, it is a disease that leads to muscle degeneration.
Duncan, 19, has been told he’ll have a short life expectancy, yet he is planning for the future by preparing for life as a football coach. He is currently a student-coach at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
Duncan has a rather large bucket list, with meeting LeBron James at the top. Thanks to Doyel, that just might happen.
My bucket list is to meet LeBron. That’s the one thing I want to do. Meet LeBron James. That’s my role model. He inspires me to do everything. To be a good person, to put other people first, to live your life and do what makes you happy. If I meet LeBron James, that would make my day. I wouldn’t ask for anything.
The four-time NBA MVP responded by sending the teen a letter of encouragement, along with a jersey and some other items:
LeBron's letter to Emanuel. Don't ever say LeBron is no hero. Not to me. LeBron saw this: https://t.co/H4KdwxCEdg pic.twitter.com/hD34HAMQOj
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) November 13, 2015
LeBron sent Emanuel Duncan of Indy a signed jersey, some shoes, promise bands and some @beatsbydre headphones. First-class move, @KingJames.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) November 13, 2015
The Indiana Pacers host the Cavaliers on Feb. 1, and suspect Duncan will be in the building.
By Glenn Erby
