Last month, Kent State center Kalin Bennett made history by becoming the first player with autism to score in a Division I college hoops game.
When the Rockets were in the school’s area a week ago to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston forward and renowned NBA ‘Sneaker King’ P.J. Tucker surprised Bennett and asked the 6-foot-11 freshman center to choose and sign his shoes for the upcoming game.
The 18-year-old Bennett signed Tucker’s shoes and added two inscriptions: “Never say can’t” and “There’s no such thing as can’t.” Bleacher Report documented their meeting on Bennett’s campus.
Regarding Bennett and his inspiring life story, Tucker said:
His story is super relatable to anybody, almost. Anybody that has struggles in life to try to attain a goal, to have that type of perseverance. To be like, ‘You know what, I’m still going to chase my dream and do what I want to do.’ I think it’s amazing.
Now 18-9, the Rockets won that game at Cleveland, with the 34-year-old Tucker — in shoes signed and inscribed by Bennett — hitting the dagger three-pointer to secure the victory in the final 40 seconds.
