At the UCSF Benioff Childrenâs Medical Center in Oakland, room 305 was more than just a sterile hospital room. It was a personal sanctuary for a 15-year-old boy named Jason Martinez. The walls were adorned with blue and yellow Golden State Warriors posters, and amidst them, photos of Stephen Curry in actionâshooting, dribbling, and celebratingâstood as a reminder of the strength and joy that basketball brought to his life, even in his most challenging moments.
Jasonâs days were consumed by the grueling treatments for osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Despite the pain, the exhaustion, and the constant battle for his life, his love for basketball, especially for Curry, kept his spirit alive. âDid you see that shot last night?â he asked his nurse, Emma Chen, his voice filled with excitement as he spoke about the latest Warriors game. It was moments like these that allowed him to forget the pain, even if just for a little while.
However, Jasonâs condition was worsening. His parents, Elena and Robert Martinez, were doing everything they could, working multiple jobs to cover the mounting medical bills. But no amount of work could change the reality that Jasonâs time was running out. The doctors were trying a new treatment protocol, but the results were uncertain. Yet, amidst all of this, Jason had one simple wish: to meet his idol, Stephen Curry.
Emma, deeply moved by Jasonâs unwavering strength and his obsession with Curry, took matters into her own hands. After work one night, she posted a heartfelt message on Instagram: âMy name is Emma Chen, and I have a 15-year-old patient named Jason fighting terminal osteosarcoma. His biggest dream is to meet Steph Curry. Please help us make it happen.â The message quickly went viral, with fans, doctors, and even strangers sharing it, hoping to catch the attention of the basketball star.
Thousands of miles away, in the quiet luxury of Atherton, Steph Curry was finishing his practice at Chase Center. Curry, known for his excellence on the court and his leadership off it, had no idea that a terminally ill boy, 15-year-old Jason, was praying for the chance to meet him. But when his publicist, Natalie Brooks, handed him a phone with the viral video of Jason, Curryâs world shifted. In the video, Jason, frail and bald from chemotherapy, spoke with all the determination he could muster: âSteph Curry taught me I can do all things. When the pain is unbearable, I close my eyes and visualize his shots. Each basket gives me one more day.â
As Curry watched, tears welled up in his eyes. He couldnât just send a message. He had to do more. He turned to Natalie and said, âWe need to do much more than just send a message. We need to make this happen.â
But time was running out. Jasonâs health was declining rapidly, and his family could only hold on to hope. Still, Curry was determined to keep his promise. The logistics were difficult to manage with his tight NBA schedule, but Curry found a window of opportunity. A visit was scheduled for a Thursday, two weeks away, but doctors couldnât guarantee that Jason would be well enough by then. Despite the uncertainty, Curry pushed forward, determined to make Jasonâs dream come true.
During this time, Jasonâs condition deteriorated. His tumor was growing faster than anyone had anticipated. Jason, however, clung to the hope that he would meet his hero. Even as he lay in his hospital bed, barely able to stay awake, he continued to dream of that meeting. âIâll get better in time,â he whispered to Emma one day. âI wonât miss the chance to meet Steph Curry.â
The day of the visit finally arrived. Curry, dressed casually in a gray t-shirt and jeans, arrived at UCSF Benioff Childrenâs Hospital early in the morning, careful to avoid the press and fans. With his team and a few close colleagues, he slipped into the hospital unnoticed. As he walked down the quiet corridors, his heart raced. This was more than just a meeting. This was about giving a boy, fighting for his life, a moment of pure joy.
When Curry entered room 305, Jasonâs reaction was one of disbelief. His tablet, which he had been watching Warriors highlights on, slipped from his hands. For a moment, he couldnât speak. Then, in a voice filled with awe, he stammered, âI donât believe you actually came.â
Curry sat on the edge of Jasonâs bed, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. âI wouldnât miss it for anything,â he said with a warm smile.
The two quickly found common ground as they began talking about the Warriors, Curryâs shoes, and even Jasonâs favorite video games. What had started as a moment of disbelief turned into a conversation that energized Jason like nothing else had in weeks. He even showed Curry some of his drawingsâdetailed illustrations of Curry shooting, dribbling, and celebrating. Curry was genuinely impressed. âThis is incredible, man,â he said, picking up one of the drawings. âCan I keep this?â
Then, Curry pulled out a special gift: a pair of Curry 8 sneakers, not yet released to the public. âWhat do you think about personalizing them?â Curry asked. âYou can draw something on them, and I promise to wear them in a game.â Jason, trembling with excitement, accepted the challenge, and for the next 20 minutes, he carefully decorated the shoes with symbols that represented his journey. When he was finished, Curry took the shoes and promised to wear them in an upcoming game.
Before leaving, Curry suggested they shoot some hoops together. With careful help, Jason was placed in a wheelchair, and Curry guided his weakened arms through the motions of a basketball shot. âOne, two, three,â they counted together as the ball soared through the air and landed perfectly in the hoop. For that moment, Jason was no longer the boy battling cancer. He was a basketball player, just like his hero.
The visit was a turning point for both Jason and Curry. Jason, despite his pain, was filled with an energy he hadnât experienced in months. Curry, too, was inspired in a way that transcended basketball. It wasnât about winning championships; it was about making a difference in someoneâs life.
A few days later, Curry wore the personalized shoes during a Warriors game. The cameras caught them, and soon the hashtag #PlayForJason began trending. Curryâs performance that night was nothing short of magicalâhe scored 43 points, with nine three-pointers, and his every shot seemed inspired by Jasonâs courage. After the game, when asked about his performance, Curry didnât hesitate to credit Jason. âThere are things much bigger than basketball,â he said. âMeeting Jason reminded me why we do what we do. Every shot today was for him.â
As the weeks went by, Jasonâs condition continued to worsen, but his spirit never waned. Curry and Jason stayed in touch, and soon, Curry announced the creation of the Hopeshot Project, a foundation to support families like Jasonâs and fund research on osteosarcoma. Though Jason couldnât celebrate in person, his legacy was already changing lives.
A few weeks later, Jason passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. Before the Warriorsâ game that night, Curry requested a moment of silence in honor of his friend. Jasonâs parents later shared a final giftâa drawing that Jason had made in the hospital of him and Curry playing basketball together as friends, not idol and fan. âSome heroes wear basketball uniforms,â it read.
That mural would eventually be displayed at the new Jason Martinez court in Oakland, a tribute to a young boy whose courage touched not just the lives of his family, but the heart of an NBA superstar. And as Curry continues his career, every shot he takes, every pass, every play, will always be a tribute to a friend he will never forget