Robbie McNulty, a 14-year-old high school freshman, shot hoops at a park in Boston Tuesday night by himself. His friends didn’t want to come out because the court was still wet from a rainfall. He eventually gained one companion, though: Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas.
As The Boston Globe explains in an excellent narrative, Thomas and his wife were on their way home from back-to-school night for parents at their son’s preschool. Thomas spotted Robbie getting shots up by himself.
“He was the only kid there,” Thomas said. “So I’m like, ‘I’m just going to go get some shots up with him.’ When I walked over, he rebounded his own shot and turned around and I’m like, ‘Can I get a couple shots?’ And he stopped. He didn’t even say a word, like his eyes were so big. He just stopped and froze and I’m like, ‘Pass me the ball.’”
Of course, Robbie almost lost his mind. He was awed that the All-Star would be willing to shoot with him.
Robbie is a big Celtics fan and he attended three games last year.
“It was just so nice of him to come over and play with me,” Robbie said. “I bet he didn’t even think it would be that big of a deal to me, but for me, like, it’s crazy. He’s an NBA All-Star and he’s just looking at you and talking to you.”
Robbie’s friends didn’t believe his story until he posted a photo of the two on Instagram and Snapchat. Thomas commented on the youngster’s ’Gram, too, saying he’d enjoyed balling with Robbie.
“I love just little interactions like that,” the 5-foot-9 guard said. “I know it means a lot, because I was once in his shoes. I was once that kid at games wanting a player to just wave to me and acknowledge me, so I know that feeling and I know that’s my job now.
“I knew maybe even if he didn’t know who I was it would be cool to just rebound for him and shoot with him for the 10 minutes that I did.”
What an awesome story. Credit to Thomas for doing this. We all know the lesson here: even if there are sometimes a few puddles on the court, good things happen when you prioritize getting buckets.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.
