J-Mac Getting Movie Deal (Autistic kid who hit 6 three pointers)

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This is a very cool story. If you haven't seen the footage, google it, its really amazing. Here's the story: "Columbia Pictures has acquired the life rights to Jason McElwain, an autistic teenager who morphed from a basketball benchwarmer into an international media sensation after hitting six three-pointers in the final four minutes of a high school game. Basketball great Earvin "Magic" Johnson will serve as an executive producer. McElwain, a Rochester, N.Y., senior nicknamed "J-Mac" by his friends, never made the varsity team because of his size and instead served as its student manager. But in the waning minutes of the final game of the regular season in February, his coach rewarded McElwain's dedication and attitude by putting him into the game. McElwain's first three-point attempt was an air ball, which he followed with a missed layup. He then scored six three-pointers, his last one the final shot of the game -- a feat that Johnson said would be nearly impossible for a seasoned pro to accomplish, nevermind a high schooler not accustomed to playing time. "When I first saw the highlights on ESPN and then heard Jason's back story, I said, 'Man, I've got to be a part of this.' This story touched me, my kids, my wife," said Johnson. "When we go to the movies, this is the type of story we want to see."

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Responses (15)

kma517k (7/2): I'm from Roch as well, and I say "Go J-Mac!" It's the least we can do to give a kid who has had a lot of disadvantages in life a little bit of hope. I agree with Magic Johnson in that I'm excited to see the movie because, even though it probably won't be entirely accurate, at least it will be heart-warming and inspirational. And as far as the players from the other team not blocking his shots... I know I wouldn't be able to make six three pointers- even if I was the only one on the court! Way to go J-Mac! (report)

Anonymous (7/28): OMG...I don't care how many times this story is in the news. I work with Autistic students and this youngster deserves all the praise and glory. Wake up people! Son of Sam is still in the news and I'd much rather see and read positive things about teens than that. (report)

Anonymous (8/20): I am Autistic and I have been a Basketball Manager ot my school for 2 years and I was getting to the point that I did not think that that was what I wanted because I do not like to socialize with people and I do not like to be away from home any length of tome(ie. 7AM-9PM or later) but after I heard Jmac's story he really showed me that athough I may not enjoy it a lot now that could very well change also I am currentlly attending PC High in MO and I will be moving to Roch and going to school in Wayne Central more then likely (report)

SherriAnne (8/20): Wow, sad sad day America when the opposing column is of jealousy.Trying to mimimalize his autism, regardless of a disability to goin front of screaming fans in the gym and accomplish what he did was no small feat.Yea the space shuttle is going up and Kobe scored 80 points, do we use those things to tear down? He had a great day, brought attention to a disability and who cares if it violated Sec. V of a code, humanity prevailed andplaying was a reward for his dedication and motivation to his team. If someone in your life or family accomplished more than wasexpected of them wouldn't you rally behind them the end result was a bonus. I feel that reading the opposing column reeks of bitterness and jealousy If it was your sibling, child or friend you'd all be happy to see what this has done for him. The movie deal will bring him financial stability to take care of future needs and he won't be a financial burden on society. Maybe this event in his life will take him to a higher level than ever before was possible. If we could all have a moment like that in our life, or not be so bitter we may recognize those moments in our life and seize the opportunities that come along with dedication, determination and hard work. Noone can take away that he was loyal, faithful and dedicated to that team and sport and is reaping the rewards for his efforts. Quit being jealous and isn't it great to read about the wonderful things people do or are we looking for the negative in everything so as to make ourselves feel better. My hat is off to this wonderful young man and I know as a parent that reading an interview with his mother she still speaks of his greatest accomplishment was at a delayed age speaking his first three words. Maybe if you were to raise a child who had unavoidable obstacles placed in front of him every moment of everyday you would appreciate this story for what it truly is, a wonder accomplishment but a fellow member of our human race. (report)

cartman9 (8/26): I am a student at greece athena high school.I think this is a great story. Yes the guys on the spencerport team went easy on him, which i might point out are as big of apart of this story then j-mac.I say this because they are one of the groups of people who gave him this life long memory, possibly one of his best memory's in life. The spencerport team was recognized by athena and even j-mac for there contribution to this amazing story.They were also rewarded with a sportsmanship plak.I am telling you this because of the impact this is haveing on this kids life.....It does not matter how blown out of praportion this story is, or if spencerport didn't play there hardest or if they were'nt a good team.what matters is the love and respect that was shown at the game that day by j-macs friends,classmates,teammates and the rest of the community.{and how this will forever change his life} p.s.-If you are in the disagree column and clame you are from rochester,you are probubly either from a diffrent school and you are jealouse at all the attention athena is geting or, your sckool is one of the others team that got your asses kicked by athena. (report)

imistohot (1/25): This is cool. My dad went to Athna and so dose my best friend. I go to a school in the same district. It would be so cool if they let real people from the disrect be actors. (report)

RUBY (6/10): Autism! Autism! Autism! this is a boy with a Autism and inspire even the ones with out Autism, A Movie its on its works, keep on being A FANTASTIC AUTISTIC BOY, YOU INSPIRE US ALL, PS I HAVE 3 BOYS WITH AUTISM. ALSO EINSTINE HAD AUTISM. (report)

Anonymous (12/17): Forget Autism! How many of you complainers can "luckily" hit 6 3 pointers in 4 minutes with no one guarding you and a thousand people screaming in your ears? I rest my case. (report)

Anonymous (1/9): his story is awesome sure i agree with some of wat the ppl who say this is beign blown out of proportion but who doesn;t love a story about a person getting their one shot at makign something great happen and if u say not i then ur jsut lying to urself (report)

miixeddmamii (5/11): i just read this story for the first time, and i watched it more than 5x. people dont realize that any accomplishment for people with any form of a disability is a GREAT accomplishment. my younger brother is autistic, and even if he weren't id still be proud of "J-MAC". i dont feel this story has been blown out of proportion whatsoever..its just an incredible story that means a lot to people who aren't so CLOSE MINDED as a lot of "you" are! get over yourself and take a look around. everyone deserves to feel good about something even something as "little" as this may be. if it were you, im pretty sure you'd want the same! (report)

Anonymous (3/13): alright...... the ppl that r mad im sorry!!!! but if u were in his shoes you would love all the attention.... and honestly its just stealing his fire.. and yes it is very hard to hit 6 threes in one game not everyday do you see a kid with a disadvantage do this.... like i said don't steal his fire.. every time i see this kid i just feel ready to cry.. he is my hero!!!!!! plus now he can move on to great colleges because anybody would take a kid like that for more attention (report)

Anonymous (10/2): People on the negative side of these comments need to quit being so jealous and bitter (and get over your selfishness and pride). Give the kid a break. This is a huge accomplishment for Jason. I have a brother with a form of autism and I would be honored to make a big deal out of something like this for him if it ever comes around. Having grown up with my brother who is now pressing towards 40 yrs. old, I know that moments like what Jason had only may happen once in a lifetime for someone with autism. To the people on the negative side of these comments& you should all be ashamed of yourselves. (report)

its5454 (10/14): wow people who disagree with this need to get a life. He had autism and its a great story. (report)

plyford23 (1/30): What is wrong with you people? How could anyone say that this story is "garbage" or that it wasn't a big deal because Spencerport is a terrible team? This story inspired millions, including me. I don't care what the circumstances were. Don't you have better things to do than complaining about how an amazing story like this gets too much attention? Would you rather the news talk about depressing things like the bad economy? J-Mac is a gift from God to remind all of us that we can accomplish anything that we want no matter how big the obstacles are. To see so many people actually angeered because a story like this gets too much attention is a sad reminder of how selfish and heartless our soceity is. Thank you J-Mac for being one of the bright lights in our dark society. (report)

hubs2005 (3/1): People with autism often have many sensory and motor issue. Therefore, being able to focus on shooting a hoop, dribbling a ball, and being able to hold the ball with out dropping it is a great accomplishment. For him to be able to perform with so many people shouting and distracting his is also amazing!! Even if people did allow him to make the baskets he still did it in 4:19 with people chasing him. I say he's a great role model for anyone with any disability. He deserved that chance I am sure anyone with a child who has the same syndromes would agree. Sometimes people need to experience living with someone with autism themselves before they lose their ignorance and become empathetic towards those with this syndrome. Go J-Mac :) (report)

Responses (24)

Anonymous (6/6): This story is complete garbage. First of all, I know Jason personally in real life, so I am qualified to make the statements I'm about to make. He's a great kid, yes, but the whole thing is totally blown out of proportion. He was the team manager, not a "benchwarmer." He brought out the basketballs for the team at practice, not played or participated in drills. He never suited up. His coach wanted to let him feel what it was like to suit up, so for senior night he put him in uniform. Remember, he's the manager. After the game a against Spencerport became a blowout, the coach made a bold move and put him in the game. This is in violation of Section V rules (the local athletic head of high school sports in monroe county), and never is acknowledge that Jay should have never even seen the court. Then he cam e in missed a couple, and made 6 3's. Remember, the game was a blowout, and Spencerport had put in it's reserves. Spencerport is (in my opinion by far) the worst team in Section V basketball. They play their starters constantly, so when these backups came in, they were REALLY raw and had hardly played. Also add in that Spencerport was so far out of the game that they laid down for the guy and let him shoot with minimal opposition, not even a hand in the face. This story is a nice one to read about, but when you are bombarded with it daily (it's been a while now and I still hear about it quite frequently), it gets rather annoying. This kid has been on Oprah, the today show, played ball with the governor, met magic johnson (who is producing the movie), had t-shirts made which are sold at local Wegman grocery stores, and met the freaking president. This is, quit possibly, the most overblown story since the runaway bride. Please, for the love of all that his holy and good, let it end! ps- no offense directed at Jay, he's alright, just against the hype machine which the media has become. (report)

Anonymous (6/24): I agree with the response. I'm from Roch too, and have noticed much of what this person has mentioned. The story has been brought up more times on the news and in the papers than the Iraq war. Oh well :( (report)

Anonymous (6/26): LOL, Uh... he just got an espy... what is this?!!! I agree, it's gone tooooo farrrr. (report)

Anonymous (7/4): I disagree with K517k, big time. "a little hope?" He's met the president, played ball with the governor, met Magic Johnson, been to the final four, been to the NBA championship, had a featurette played during halftime of the championship, been overglorified in the Rochester media for 5? months now, won every award you could possibly win, is up for an ESPY against Kobe Bryant scoring 80 points, has a full-length motion picture in the works for which he is receiving a respectable sum of money, has every major moment of his life continually reported in the paper (i.e- graduation, last day of school, etc.), appearing on oprah, appearing on the today show, and is getting play time in sites such as this. This is well beyond a little. I'm totally in the negative camp (can't believe I'm saying that, I'm usually a pretty positive girl lol). It was an accomplishment, but not bigger than Moses crossing the red sea. The kid has a MINOR case of autism. If a kid with Down Syndrome goes and makes a dunk, that's an accomplishment worthy of national praise, but this is just luck. Chucking up 3s is a crap shoot. Sometimes when I play ball with my guy friends, I get lucky and nail a few (and I suck badly), but shooting a three is just throwing the ball up and getting lucky. I really would like to see the story take a backseat now. The spaceshuttle is going up today, that deserves a tad more attention than something that happened in a couple minutes of a basketball game blowout however many months before it was. Thanks for the time, and God Bless. ~**~Ashley~**~ (report)

Anonymous (8/3): I also work with Autistic children, and I completely disagree with Mr. Anonymous. Autistic children have a tendancy to be very volatile, and stubborn. With the constant spoiling he is receiving, this will only hinder the progress he has made, and will put an extra burden on his mother, as he will expect things to be handed to him for the rest of his life. I even heard recently that he went to the local Lugia's Ice Cream and tried to get a free ice cream. It can be seen already that he is developing the idea that things will be given to him, simply because he is "J-Mac." This hype has gone on too far, and needs to stop. This is not just for the sanity of these complainers, but for the good of J-Mac, and his ability to be a functioning member in our society. -John McManus Gates, New York (report)

Anonymous (8/21): This is not about jealousy, this is about insanity. This kid is being worshipped. There are bigger stories than this, enough is enough. I see more J-Mac stories on the news than the war in Lebanon and the war in Iraq combined. Please people. Good for J-Mac, he deserved the initial praise. Bad for the media, for overblowing what should have been a special event and turning it into a ratings-gainer. Sickening to see hollywood cashing in on J-Mac as well. In response to the movie deal brining finacial stability to J-Mac. Will the money really go to him? I somewhat doubt that. His mother will likely pocket the cash, and likely spend it on a new car or the like. And these people do not reek of jealousy by the way, they reek of common sense, truth, and most of all, a true sense of care for this kid. I agree 100% that this overflow of gifts and attention is not good for J-Mac. To read that ice cream story really upset him. This is destroying this young man. A man who has had to suffer so much. I feel sorry for J-Mac. I hope that he won't become greedy, or expect handouts the rest of his life. It was a basketball game, that is all. I hope that he truly realizes that, and understands that there is more to life that one game. A career, a family, and lifelong happiness are all more important, and I hope that the cash from the movie deal, if it does go to him, will not deter him from becoming a functioning member in our society. In response to the other post, no, J-Mac would not be a financial burden to society. But that would be the case only if he becomes a functioning member of it. Autistic people suffer a horrible disease, but like those with down syndrome or other neurological disorders, they are encouraged and are CAPABLE to contribute to society. I hope, as I have said, that this money won't hold him back. I wish the best for you J-Mac, but my post is going in the diagree column, because your life shouldn't be this one game. Sherry Harrison (report)

Anonymous (8/23): I also am autistic, and a manager for my high school's basketball team (how many of us are there out there, wow). I admire J-Mac to an extent, but I just don't think it's right that he's getting all this attention because of his autism. I suffer from this disease, but I still recognize that I should offer it up as a sacrifice, and not use it to get free handouts (ice cream, money, attention). I'm more than content to be the team's manager. If my coach wanted me to play simply to make me feel good, I'd respectfully decline. I understand that in life you need to earn things, and I just don't think it's right to break the rules just so that I could play. J-Mac did a great feat, but he should be applauded for the performance, not being autistic and doing it. --Nicholas Cameron-- (report)

Anonymous (8/27): I also am a student as Greece Athena (so don't even start) and I think this is total BS. This is not a story, this is garbage. The 9/11 movie is one that needed to be made, because there were some true heroes at the WTC. J-Mac's movie is total garbage, rewarding a fraud hero. Oh, and Spencerport sucks. (report)

Anonymous (2/1): It would not be cool at all if they did that. (report)

Anonymous (7/21): i have autism and i must say, this story blows. hence i write this in the "this blows" box. (report)

Anonymous (9/19): Everyone above this post sucks! Your all just jealous that he has got fame from this. go have a cry and get over yourselves. (report)

ChiefNherB (10/7): Haha jason thought he was way too cool after! He got such a big head after it all and apparently dumped a girl because he was to famous now! And o yeah i love how johnson took alot of the credit for putting him in when the crowd was screaming his name and a player told johnson to put him in. So then johnson asked the spencerport coach if it was alright to put him in and to tell his players to back off and let him shoot. They made such a big deal about 6 3's in 4 min, when its quite possible when every is throwing it to j-mac every time they get the ball! Not Movie Worthy (i also went to Greece Athena and was at the game) (report)

Anonymous (11/21): The one thing I definitely agree with is that IF in fact this type of publicity could hinder his development as a person with autism then the media and people around him that are pushing him to become a superstar celebrity should probably realize that the potential for harm exists and they need to take responsibility for that. (report)

Anonymous (12/9): Im done (report)

Anonymous (1/16): this blows (report)

Anonymous (1/24): he's got another book coming out in a couple of weeks. seriously? (report)

kleck097 (2/21): Okay. I just graduated from a surrounding school. I also know the coach of the team that J-Mac was playing against. J Macs coach asked the other coach if he could let j mac shoot unguarded with little to no pressure on him. The other coach agreed to it so he told his team not to pressure j mac. this story is completely ridiculous. (report)

kleck097 (2/21): also, the kid is way to cocky. he came into my work with his ESPY trophy and had his head so far up his ass. he basically made himself sound like he was the best basketball player in the world. i laughed and actually left work because i was about to tell him what was up (report)

Anonymous (3/10): J-Mac used steroids. SHAME ON YOU! (report)

Anonymous (5/13): I completely disagree with this last guy. This story is blown out of proportion. I live in Greece, and it's ALL I hear about it. Maybe you'd understand why I'm closed-minded, because I'm trying to block off all this garbage that I hear every freaking day of my life! GO AWAY J-MAC!!! (report)

Anonymous (5/16): J-Mac eats babies. (report)

Anonymous (1/6): Why a movie? (report)

Anonymous (10/10): Anyone who finds this story interesting should be ashamed of themselves. The kid is autistic, not mentally retarded. He is highly functioning. I can't wait for the movie about a kid with ADHD who throws a touchdown pass. Shame on you all who like this story. (report)

Anonymous (10/28): People who agree with the post are idiots. His autism is hardly crippling, and is no worse than your average Joe with ADHD. (report)


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