Community Corner

SLU Billikens Bring Jumpshots & Smiles To Mercy Children's Hospital

Members of the men's basketball team spent time in Creve Coeur Thursday with young patients.

Jordair Jett, Austin McBoom and Mike McCall may have a new crop of fans, and it has little to do with what the three members of the St. Louis University Billiken men's basketball team have done on the court.

The three, along with the school's mascot and members of the coaching staff came to Mercy Children's Hospital Thursday to shoot some hoops with patients in the hospital lobby. One of the patients went to the event on his way to the operating room.

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"People come out to support us when we’re doing well so we want to support people when they’re in a time of need and definitely these kids are in a time of need and we want to be there for them and encourage them and make them feel good about themselves," said Graduate Assistant Coach Danny Brown.

The players signed autographs and had plenty of pictures, but were also competitive with patients. Jett lost one round to a young girl and had to do push-ups as a result. Medical staffers say if you're at a hospital or at home, it is still important for a kid to be a kid.

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"It helps normalize the environment for the kids, helps them to continue developing so bringing in activities that they’re used to at home when they’re not stuck in the hospital is crucial to that continuing in their healthy life, said Tara Anders, a Mercy Child Life Specialist.


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