Julius Mays visits Kentucky Children’s Hospital
April 4, 2013
By Michael Reaves | @KyKernel
UK graduate student and former basketball player Julius Mays visited children in the Kentucky Children’s Hospital in the progressive care unit Wednesday.
Mays met with the children and presented each of them with a signed mini-basketball.
“Just being able to have the opportunity is amazing,” Mays said. “I have a daughter of my own and to see these kids in unfortunate situations that they weren’t asked to be in or to see them here and still fighting for their lives … it means a lot.”
Mays met with children like 8-year-old Ethan Crawford, who is recovering from having his esophagus removed.
Crawford and the other children were excited to see and talk with Mays.
“To have a little conversation and tell him hello and show them that someone cares about them — I think it makes them feel good about themselves and hopefully gives them a little push to keep fighting,” Mays said. “It lets everyone know its not just about basketball … but to come back to the community and (give back) like this is great.”
Mays was also asked about Louisville guard Kevin Ware, who broke his leg in Louisville’s Elite 8 matchup with Duke on Sunday.
“You don’t wish that on anybody whether it’s an opposing team or your team, someone you even hate,” Mays said. “My (advice) to him is make sure you do your rehab and keep fighting … stay mentally strong and when that rough time hits keep on pushing.”
Mays, a graduate student who transferred from Wright State University and played for UK for one season, spoke about his future plans after leaving Lexington.
“(I am) looking to continue to play and test that and see how it goes and … give it a try and if it doesn’t go how I want it to I can try to break my way into coaching and continue school.”
