Zy Neal certainly knows how to deliver, fulfilling a pre-game promise made to honor the birthday of one of his schoolmates who had passed away this fall. The seventh grader delivered the game-winning bucket from mid-court in an emotional win for Neal and his team.
Neal, who attends Greenville Middle School (Greeneville, Tennessee), sunk this tremendous SportsCenter Top 10 worthy game-winner. It was an impressive shot for sure, But adding even more insight into the story, the winner came on what would have been the birthday of his late friend, Kaden Gunter.
Neal had promised before the game that he was going to step up with a big performance to honor his friend.
@SportsCenter Zy Neal (7th grader at GMS in Greeneville, TN) with the dagger at the buzzer for the win! He said that he was going to have a big night for Kaden, and boy was he right! What an amazing moment on his recently passed friend’s 1st heavenly birthday. 🙏🔥🏀 #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/EOGwHohH7B
— Matt Quillen (@doubledeuce22Q) December 1, 2023
The story of Gunter, a 12-year-old who passed away while participating in middle school football practice, made national headlines this September. That his life could be honored in such a unique way, given his love for sports, seemed fitting.
Even the celebration from Neal, enthusiastic for sure, seemed a bit of an emotional release on what must have been a difficult day for many in the school.
