As my colleague Eric Freeman noted last month, Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has long since earned a place in Pacers fans' hearts for his willingness to connect with them in interesting ways, like starting a 7-footer-friendly cheering section called Area 55 and inviting members out for a private game of Laser Tag . His affability and relationship to Indy's fan base likely wasn't a prime factor in the team's decision to match a four-year, $58 million offer sheet to keep Hibbert patrolling the Pacers' paint, but it probably didn't hurt, and his return sure made a lot of Pacers fans happy. Now, Hibbert's going to make them proud. The rest of us, too. According to Mike Wells at the Indianapolis Star , a 12-year-old fan in Sacramento, Calif., named Lee Eddins was really looking forward to seeing Hibbert, "his idol," in person when the Pacers stopped in town to play the Sacramento Kings in November. Unfortunately, young Lee is not well. Diagnosed with stage four leukemia six months ago, Lee has been told he might only have a couple of weeks left to live. So Hibbert has planned a special surprise. Later this week, he is flying to Sacramento to meet Lee. "Once I heard he had a dying wish, I knew I had to do something more than send him presents and Skype with him on the computer," Hibbert said.
More...
More...
