UNC Dream Team grants child’s basketball wish

Many would be starstruck to meet Carolina basketball royalty. However, earlier this month, when 9-year-old Colburn Dean spent a weekend with the Tar Heels, he was the highlight.

He impressed the men’s basketball team with his dance moves, made a backward trick shot during a game of H-O-R-S-E with Armando Bacot, and joined the Tar Heels in celebrating their victory over Syracuse in the locker room.

Down syndrome sufferer Colburn is gregarious and vivacious, a “pretty typical kid,” in his father’s words. He excels academically and is a huge sports fan. He’s also a huge Carolina basketball fan, much like many other youthful sports fanatics in the neighborhood.

Colburn was able to meet his basketball idols thanks to the UNC Dream Team, which is a branch of the nationwide charity Dream on 3. In order to fulfill the aspirations of Tar Heel athletics for kids with life-altering diseases, these 27 Carolina students donate their time and collect funds via voluntary work.

That’s just another weekend to Colburn. “Everyone there is lucky to meet him, and he thinks he’s the celebrity,” said Colburn’s father and University Libraries employee Andrew Dean, who attended Carolina.

Every year, the organization gives one child the Carolina Blue carpet treatment. ideal Team leaders Gabe Cherniss and LewLew Whayne, who are both seniors, knew they found their ideal child when they connected with Colburn and his family via Zoom.

Cherniss remarked, “His smile was contagious the moment we saw him.” “That child is the happiest child on the planet; being around him just makes you smile and feel good.”

The planning and fundraising soon began. Cherniss said the national Dream on 3 parent organization has national partners that help, but Dream Team members work hard to raise much of the money on social media.

There was much more to Colburn’s ideal weekend than just a game. The Dream Team surprised Colburn at Southwest Elementary in Durham to kick off the celebrations. As his students applauded, they presented him with a pair of Air Jordan sneakers and accompanied him to a limousine that would take him to Chapel Hill.

They saw the team train and had a tour of the Dean E. Smith Center. Coach Hubert Davis then summoned Colburn and his family to the floor. Colburn, who is rarely shy, immediately left his mark on the players, remembering their numbers and names. Cherniss praised him for having a wonderful shot, and the company cheered after he made his successful shots and performed the Griddy dance.

Andrew Dean remarked, “So many people deserve so much credit for putting something together like this.” “Armando really focused on Colburn and gave him extra time and attention, which made it that much more special, even though everyone was amazing.”

Colburn and his family saw a 103-67 Carolina victory over the weekend on Franklin Street, thanks to the Dream Team. Colburn joyfully counted down the scores as Carolina passed 100 and celebrated the Tar Heel victory with the team in the locker room while dancing to his favorite song, “Jump Around.”

“Man, I can’t believe I was a part of this and got to watch his dream come true,” Cherniss remarked after watching the weekend.

It’s obvious that Colburn’s family values the Carolina students who helped make the weekend possible.

According to Andrew Dean, “the amount of love, passion, and energy that they brought really stood out.” It’s one of those moments that brings back memories of what it means to introduce someone to your Carolina family.