Florida State University Athletics
A Simple Question Leads To A Great Day For Watkins, Bol Bowen
10/10/2024 4:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE – Florida State's Jamir Watkins and Taylor Bol Bowen spent Wednesday answering hundreds of questions from members of the national media on the approaching 2024-25 season. The questions came from ACC legends Mike Gminski, Randolph Childress, Joel Berry II, Carlos Boozer, and Seth Greenberg. They came from ESPN's Jeff Borzello, and ACC expert David Teel as well as from Mark Packer, Luke Hancock, and Taylor Tannebaum of the ACC Network.
But the most powerful question of the day came from 12-year-old Gabryella Ashe in a chance meeting in the lobby of the Uptown Charlotte Hilton just as the day was unfolding for the five teams in attendance on the first day of the two-day media tip-off event.
"Will you sign my basketball?," asked the youngster.
Watkins and Bol Bowen quickly added their signatures to the basketball and were soon dazzled by her dribbling abilities from her wheelchair.
Ashe was a guest of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Dream On 3 at the event. As a basketball player herself, she took advantage of the opportunity to meet her ACC heroes and show off some of her moves to the best players in the nation's top basketball conference.
Dream On 3 makes sports-themed "dreams" come true for young kids and adults, ages 5-21, who are living with life altering conditions including those with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities. Dream recipients are given the opportunity to live out their ultimate sports dreams through customized experiences with a favorite athlete, sporting event, or sports team to create experiences of joy, hope, and encouragement for children and young adults with life-altering conditions through the world of sports.
"I appreciated getting the signatures from the players," said Ashe. "I was also happy the players taught me some of their tricks while they played basketball with me."
Ashe is member of the Rollin' Hornets wheelchair basketball team based in Charlotte, N.C. She loves learning how to perform tricks and emulating her ACC heroes during her games.
Basketball, she says, is her favorite sport. As she displayed her abilities to Watkins and Bol Bowen, she proudly declared that she is the center for her team and dreams of playing wheelchair basketball in college just like her heroes.
The special nature of the chance meeting was not lost on Watkins or Bol Bowen.
"The opportunity to meet Gabryella was the most special part of the day for me," said Watkins. "It reminded me of spending time with my younger sister who I love dearly."
Watkins and Bol Bowen put their media day responsibilities on hold for a precious few moments to spend time with Ashe.
"We had a great time hanging out with Gabryella," said Bol Bowen. "The way she carried herself as amazing. She was smiling the entire time we were with her and was the happiest person in the lobby. I promise you this, she made my day better than we made hers."
Seminole Head Coach Leonard Hamilton joined in the fun and gave a few coaching tips to the budding star.
"I enjoy being around young people – that's what keeps my young," said the Hall of Fame Coach. "Gabryella is such a wonderful young girl with a love of the game of basketball. It was an easy connection for Jamir and Taylor as well as me. I'm sure I enjoyed the opportunity to meet her more than she enjoyed meeting me."
But the most powerful question of the day came from 12-year-old Gabryella Ashe in a chance meeting in the lobby of the Uptown Charlotte Hilton just as the day was unfolding for the five teams in attendance on the first day of the two-day media tip-off event.
"Will you sign my basketball?," asked the youngster.
Watkins and Bol Bowen quickly added their signatures to the basketball and were soon dazzled by her dribbling abilities from her wheelchair.
Ashe was a guest of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Dream On 3 at the event. As a basketball player herself, she took advantage of the opportunity to meet her ACC heroes and show off some of her moves to the best players in the nation's top basketball conference.
Dream On 3 makes sports-themed "dreams" come true for young kids and adults, ages 5-21, who are living with life altering conditions including those with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities. Dream recipients are given the opportunity to live out their ultimate sports dreams through customized experiences with a favorite athlete, sporting event, or sports team to create experiences of joy, hope, and encouragement for children and young adults with life-altering conditions through the world of sports.
"I appreciated getting the signatures from the players," said Ashe. "I was also happy the players taught me some of their tricks while they played basketball with me."
Ashe is member of the Rollin' Hornets wheelchair basketball team based in Charlotte, N.C. She loves learning how to perform tricks and emulating her ACC heroes during her games.
Basketball, she says, is her favorite sport. As she displayed her abilities to Watkins and Bol Bowen, she proudly declared that she is the center for her team and dreams of playing wheelchair basketball in college just like her heroes.
The special nature of the chance meeting was not lost on Watkins or Bol Bowen.
"The opportunity to meet Gabryella was the most special part of the day for me," said Watkins. "It reminded me of spending time with my younger sister who I love dearly."
Watkins and Bol Bowen put their media day responsibilities on hold for a precious few moments to spend time with Ashe.
"We had a great time hanging out with Gabryella," said Bol Bowen. "The way she carried herself as amazing. She was smiling the entire time we were with her and was the happiest person in the lobby. I promise you this, she made my day better than we made hers."
Seminole Head Coach Leonard Hamilton joined in the fun and gave a few coaching tips to the budding star.
"I enjoy being around young people – that's what keeps my young," said the Hall of Fame Coach. "Gabryella is such a wonderful young girl with a love of the game of basketball. It was an easy connection for Jamir and Taylor as well as me. I'm sure I enjoyed the opportunity to meet her more than she enjoyed meeting me."
Players Mentioned
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