Former Liberty County High School and University of Tennesseebasketball player Jordan McRae was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round, 58thpick of the 2014 NBA draft. Just seconds later he was traded to the 76ers, but by then it no longer mattered.

At first anxious as the picks drew nearer to the end of the draft, McRae was now so elated he couldn’t hide the tears streaming down his face as he hugged his mother Paulette and dad Cornelius. All the hard work, the sacrifices and the promises he made to himself and his family were finally coming to fruition.

The crowd of supporters, friends and family that gathered at the St. James Sports Center where McRae hosted a viewing party kept telling him to keep his head up. No matter what he would have a future in basketball. But when McRae’s name was announced on ESPN just two selections shy of the final pick, the crowd erupted. Prayers had been answered and soon everyone piled around McRae overjoyed in seeing the Midway native fulfill his dream.

Read more in Sunday’s Coastal Courier.