Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

Go Home

Remembering 'The Miracle Night' when Jason McElwain, a team manager on the autism spectrum, scored 20 points in a high school basketball game. The unforgettable event continues to inspire two decades later. Full interview at 8 p.m.

News_8's profile picture

News 8 WROC

114,638 subscribers

16,071 views • 7 months ago •via X (Twitter)

LIVE

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

Jason McElwain, who has autism, spent four years on the bench as the manager of his high school basketball team... Then, for his team's last home game of the season, Jason was subbed into the game 🥺 19 years ago, a high school basketball team gave their manager, Jason McElwain, a shot. ❤️ He’d never actually played in a proper game before… but with four minutes left, the coach put him in anyway.⁠ ⁠ What happened next was truly special.⁠ 🤯 ⁠ Jason went OFF. 20 points in four minutes. Back-to-back three pointers. The whole arena lost it.⁠ ⁠ Jason had been diagnosed with severe autism at age two and had always been on the sidelines cheering on the team, sorting out the jerseys, filling up water bottles and mopping the court. But that night? Different story.⁠ ⁠ Just shows what can happen when someone gets a single chance.⁠ 👏👏👏
1:29

Jason McElwain, who has autism, spent four years on the bench as the manager of his high school basketball team... Then, for his team's last home game of the season, Jason was subbed into the game 🥺 19 years ago, a high school basketball team gave their manager, Jason McElwain, a shot. ❤️ He’d never actually played in a proper game before… but with four minutes left, the coach put him in anyway.⁠ ⁠ What happened next was truly special.⁠ 🤯 ⁠ Jason went OFF. 20 points in four minutes. Back-to-back three pointers. The whole arena lost it.⁠ ⁠ Jason had been diagnosed with severe autism at age two and had always been on the sidelines cheering on the team, sorting out the jerseys, filling up water bottles and mopping the court. But that night? Different story.⁠ ⁠ Just shows what can happen when someone gets a single chance.⁠ 👏👏👏

Restoring Your Faith in Humanity

13,021 views • 6 months ago

Jason McElwain, diagnosed with autism at 2, was the manager of his high school basketball team. In 2006, during his senior year, the coach put him in for the final game. What happened next became one of the most unforgettable moments in sports history.
1:40

Jason McElwain, diagnosed with autism at 2, was the manager of his high school basketball team. In 2006, during his senior year, the coach put him in for the final game. What happened next became one of the most unforgettable moments in sports history.

Dudes Posting Their W’s

169,882 views • 1 year ago

When the coach gave the team manager with severe autism his first-ever minutes in a varsity game… nobody saw this coming. With just 4 minutes left, Jason “J-Mac” McElwain stepped on the court and caught absolute 🔥 He drained six 3-pointers and scored 20 points in one of the most electric moments in high school sports history. The gym erupted. The opposing fans stood and cheered. Pure joy. This wasn’t just a basketball story, it was a reminder that belief + opportunity can create magic. Never underestimate anyone. 💪🏀
1:47

When the coach gave the team manager with severe autism his first-ever minutes in a varsity game… nobody saw this coming. With just 4 minutes left, Jason “J-Mac” McElwain stepped on the court and caught absolute 🔥 He drained six 3-pointers and scored 20 points in one of the most electric moments in high school sports history. The gym erupted. The opposing fans stood and cheered. Pure joy. This wasn’t just a basketball story, it was a reminder that belief + opportunity can create magic. Never underestimate anyone. 💪🏀

𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐇

25,051 views • 6 months ago

Matthew Begley, manager of the Lakota West basketball team, had a memorable senior night as he started the game and scored a basket. Begley, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, was informed just an hour before the game that he would be starting.
0:55

Matthew Begley, manager of the Lakota West basketball team, had a memorable senior night as he started the game and scored a basket. Begley, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, was informed just an hour before the game that he would be starting.

Local 12/WKRC-TV

28,750 views • 1 year ago

Tonight marks 20 years since Jason McElwain was "hotter than a pistol" on the basketball court at Greece Athena High School. 13WHAM takes an extended look back at the legend of "J-Mac" over the years:
1:17

Tonight marks 20 years since Jason McElwain was "hotter than a pistol" on the basketball court at Greece Athena High School. 13WHAM takes an extended look back at the legend of "J-Mac" over the years:

13WHAM

20,342 views • 7 months ago

38 days until college basketball. Keenan Evans scored a career-high 38 points against Texas on Jan. 31, 2018. The final two points of his performance? Unforgettable.
0:35

38 days until college basketball. Keenan Evans scored a career-high 38 points against Texas on Jan. 31, 2018. The final two points of his performance? Unforgettable.

Ryan Mainville

31,047 views • 1 year ago

19 years ago, a high school basketball coach put his team manager into a game for the final four minutes. The kid had never played a single minute of competitive basketball in his life. He scored 20 points. Jason McElwain was diagnosed with severe autism at age two. He didn’t speak until he was five. He couldn’t chew solid food until he was six. He wore a nappy for most of his early childhood. As a baby, he was rigid, wouldn’t make eye contact, and hid in corners away from other children. He tried out for his school basketball team every year and got cut every time. Too small. Too slight. Barely 5’6 and about 54 kilograms. But he loved the game so much that his mum called the school and asked if there was any way he could be involved. The coach created a team manager role for him. For three years, McElwain showed up to every practice and every game. He wore a shirt and tie on match days. He ran drills, handed out water, kept stats, and cheered every basket like he’d scored it himself. On 15 February 2006, the last home game of his final school year, the coach let him suit up in a proper jersey and sit on the bench. With four minutes left and a comfortable lead, the coach sent him in. His first shot missed. His second missed. Then something shifted. He hit a three-pointer. Then another. Then another. His teammates stopped shooting entirely and just kept passing him the ball. He hit six three-pointers and a two-pointer. 20 points in four minutes. The highest scorer in the game. When the final buzzer went, the entire crowd rushed the court and lifted him onto their shoulders. His mum tapped the coach on the shoulder, in tears. “This is the nicest gift you could have ever given my son.” McElwain won the ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports that year, beating out some of the biggest names in professional sport. He’s 36 now. He works at a local supermarket, coaches basketball, has run 17 marathons including five Boston Marathons, and travels the country speaking about never giving up. When asked about that night, his coach still gets emotional. “For him to come in and seize the moment like he did was certainly more than I ever expected. I was an emotional wreck.”
1:43

19 years ago, a high school basketball coach put his team manager into a game for the final four minutes. The kid had never played a single minute of competitive basketball in his life. He scored 20 points. Jason McElwain was diagnosed with severe autism at age two. He didn’t speak until he was five. He couldn’t chew solid food until he was six. He wore a nappy for most of his early childhood. As a baby, he was rigid, wouldn’t make eye contact, and hid in corners away from other children. He tried out for his school basketball team every year and got cut every time. Too small. Too slight. Barely 5’6 and about 54 kilograms. But he loved the game so much that his mum called the school and asked if there was any way he could be involved. The coach created a team manager role for him. For three years, McElwain showed up to every practice and every game. He wore a shirt and tie on match days. He ran drills, handed out water, kept stats, and cheered every basket like he’d scored it himself. On 15 February 2006, the last home game of his final school year, the coach let him suit up in a proper jersey and sit on the bench. With four minutes left and a comfortable lead, the coach sent him in. His first shot missed. His second missed. Then something shifted. He hit a three-pointer. Then another. Then another. His teammates stopped shooting entirely and just kept passing him the ball. He hit six three-pointers and a two-pointer. 20 points in four minutes. The highest scorer in the game. When the final buzzer went, the entire crowd rushed the court and lifted him onto their shoulders. His mum tapped the coach on the shoulder, in tears. “This is the nicest gift you could have ever given my son.” McElwain won the ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports that year, beating out some of the biggest names in professional sport. He’s 36 now. He works at a local supermarket, coaches basketball, has run 17 marathons including five Boston Marathons, and travels the country speaking about never giving up. When asked about that night, his coach still gets emotional. “For him to come in and seize the moment like he did was certainly more than I ever expected. I was an emotional wreck.”

Lemma the Optimist

10,190,197 views • 6 months ago

Cavs rookie Meleek Thomas continues to SHINE at NBA Summer League! He scored a game-high 24 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the win vs. the Bulls 🔥
2:00

Cavs rookie Meleek Thomas continues to SHINE at NBA Summer League! He scored a game-high 24 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the win vs. the Bulls 🔥

NBA

456,738 views • 2 months ago

Last Tuesday the Fayetteville, Tx boys basketball team set a national record (according to NFHS) for most 3-pointers in a high school game. They made 40. Here's the story on that game. Jake Diggs Mason Fenhaus Spectrum News 1 Texas
2:03

Last Tuesday the Fayetteville, Tx boys basketball team set a national record (according to NFHS) for most 3-pointers in a high school game. They made 40. Here's the story on that game. Jake Diggs Mason Fenhaus Spectrum News 1 Texas

Travis Recek

30,873 views • 7 months ago

Senior night for the Broughton Athletics basketball team was unforgettable. Wade Miles, a senior manager who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, got a chance to play. But what happened next wasn't planned. Story for Wake County Athletics:
0:59

Senior night for the Broughton Athletics basketball team was unforgettable. Wade Miles, a senior manager who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, got a chance to play. But what happened next wasn't planned. Story for Wake County Athletics:

Nick Stevens

22,202 views • 6 months ago

Last night was the final game of Johnny Jackson's high school career. Jackson - who beat Stage 4 cancer this winter - scored a game-high 25 in Ridgewood's loss to Plainfield in the Group 4 state semifinals. Johnny Buckets goes out with a stellar 2,184 career points but his impact on NJ basketball goes well beyond all points he compiled 👏👏 John | RHS Athletics
0:42

Last night was the final game of Johnny Jackson's high school career. Jackson - who beat Stage 4 cancer this winter - scored a game-high 25 in Ridgewood's loss to Plainfield in the Group 4 state semifinals. Johnny Buckets goes out with a stellar 2,184 career points but his impact on NJ basketball goes well beyond all points he compiled 👏👏 John | RHS Athletics

Jersey Sports Zone

25,937 views • 1 year ago

A PERFECT GAME! A historic first for a local high school was captured on video Wednesday. The Lebanon High School boys varsity bowling team scored the school's first-ever Baker 300 game.
0:21

A PERFECT GAME! A historic first for a local high school was captured on video Wednesday. The Lebanon High School boys varsity bowling team scored the school's first-ever Baker 300 game.

WLWT

24,251 views • 8 months ago

Breakdown of the mid-game fight at a high school basketball game in Pennsylvania
1:29

Breakdown of the mid-game fight at a high school basketball game in Pennsylvania

FearBuck

4,269,051 views • 1 year ago

Happy birthday to the great Cheryl Miller! Here's Reggie Miller talking about the night he scored 40 in a high school game and then finding out Cheryl scored 105 (46/50 FG) in a 179-15 win on the same night 🤣
1:17

Happy birthday to the great Cheryl Miller! Here's Reggie Miller talking about the night he scored 40 in a high school game and then finding out Cheryl scored 105 (46/50 FG) in a 179-15 win on the same night 🤣

Ballislife.com

2,296,477 views • 2 years ago

On this day in 2019, Kyle J Guy scored 6 points in 8 seconds to send Virginia Men's Basketball to the #NationalChampionship game 👏
0:55

On this day in 2019, Kyle J Guy scored 6 points in 8 seconds to send Virginia Men's Basketball to the #NationalChampionship game 👏

NCAA March Madness

463,183 views • 3 years ago