Hoops for Hope

Hoops for Hope

Justin Friedlander, 13, aims to raise money for brain-tumor research by shooting 63,000 free throws

By Steve Schmidt


How long would it take someone to make 63,000 free throws? Justin Friedlander, of Rockville, Maryland, is trying to find out—with a little help from his family, friends, neighbors and even a few big-time athletes.


Why 63,000, you ask? That's how many people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. Unfortunately in March of 2009, 13-year-old Justin was one of them. He has what is known as an inoperable brain tumor, meaning at this time, there is no surgery or other form of cure.


After receiving the news, Justin and his family decided to team up with the National Brain Tumor Society to start a program called "Justin's Quest." Its purpose: to raise awareness of brain tumors and to raise money for research by having people shoot free throws with Justin. "You want to make the most of a every day because you don't know what tomorrow is going to bring," Justin said.


Having a Ball


On June 23, Justin headed to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the NBA FIT clinic to continue to reach his goal. He started the day with more than 14,000 made baskets. After the event was over, 519 more baskets were added to the total.


Some of those baskets were made by future top draft picks such as John Wall, Luke Babbitt and Gordon Hayward, who manned the free-throw shooting station during the clinic. Although the players looked like skyscrapers on the court compared to Justin, who is 4-foot-7, they all looked up to him in admiration. "That's unbelievable what he's doing," Babbitt said in between a pair of successful free throws.


"I know at that age I probably wouldn't have thought of something like that," Greg Monroe added.


Participants can shoot the free throws with Justin in-person if they live in the Washington, D.C. area or they can send a video or a photo of free throws being made to Justin's website, justinsquest.com. He has shot free throws with at least 50 people so far since the program began last November, including 14-time Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps.


"I think that I'm really going to make a difference," Justin said. "And I really truly feel that I'm going to find a cure for brain tumors and it's just been a pleasure. I'd like to thank the NBA. They've been great. All the draft picks, they've been fantastic."


Net Gains


The day ended with Justin being presented a basketball signed by the future NBA draft picks and another ball with the signature of President Barack Obama. He also received a bag full of NBA merchandise.


"All of this is just mind blowing for this to be snowballing into making a difference," said Justin's father, Jon. "And we will make a difference and help raise awareness and hopefully find a cure for this disease."


So far, more than $38,000 has been raised through the initiative. The goal is to raise $250,000 with every bit of going to the society for tumor-based research.

Max (Hoops for Hope) –I know that many people do some unbelievable things to let people fund raise. Like riding bikes, climbing mountains and other stuff, to save more money and give it to charity. By shooting 63,000 baskets, this challenge is maybe too crazy for a 13-year old, but he going to let us raise money and help brain tumor patients. Even we think this challenge is impossible, they have the heart to do it and make the quest, and want to help those patients!