Jaleel is described as a strong kid, and he had to be strong because he was battling leukemia during the covid pandemic.
It was an isolating time. The treatment was grueling, and he just hated having his blood drawn. Jaleel wanted nothing more than to be done with leukemia. The good news is that it looks like he is on the road to recovery, but his doctors will be monitoring him for the next few years to be certain.
Jaleel recieved lots of support during his treatment and that support made him feel like a warrior. He’s a sweet and caring kid who likes hanging out with his sister, playing video games, football, and basketball. His favorite player is Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Jaleel made a wish to have a Memphis Grizzlies experience.
Earlier this month, he traveled with his dad, Jemier, to Memphis to see the Grizzlies take on the Raptors, and stayed in a hotel on historic Beale Street. His first full day in Memphis, Jaleel went to a meet-and-greet with Ja Morant and several of his teammates who signed autographs and decked Jaleel out in Grizzlies gear. Jaleel even played basketball with Ja and the team.
Jaleel and his dad had courtside seats for the game the next night. Jaleel met the head coach, and several players came over and talked with and signed autographs for Jaleel, too. Jaleel was an official ball kid for the game and was introduced center court to the crowd with his name broadcast on the Jumbotron!
“I think besides making him feel the most alive I’ve seen him in two years since all this happened, it has directly impacted him. He has been playing basketball non-stop since. When we have been home, that’s all we talk about. I feel like it ended a chapter in his life with him getting to go to the game and meet his favorite player and having the other players be really cool and down to earth,” Jemier said.
