'Truly inspiring': Classmates rally around Greenfield High School basketball player who suffered stroke

 

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Five weeks after a standout varsity basketball player at Greenfield High School suffered a stroke, the school has rallied around his family.

Monday night -- it's the first game of the season, and Jahari King's name is everywhere thanks to a lot of volunteers.

Students came in on their own time, making friendship bracelets to be sold here. Some even learned they didn't know how to tie a knot, but they worked through it together, all in Jahari's name.

That's Jahari King last season wearing number two, but he's grabbed a number one place in the hearts of many after a stroke sidelined this player who's known for his passion on the court and good nature in the classroom.

"I just miss Jahari, and I wish he was here," said Aalliyah Gorenc, Greenfield High School cheerleader.

The entire Greenfield High School cheerleading squad's wearing special-made bows for this, the first game of the season.

"We know that we're going to play for him and we're just all here to support him," said Gorenc.

The 16-year-old had just started driver's ed and was looking forward to the start of another season with the Hustlin Hawks when he suffered a medullary stroke in October.

"Jahari doesn't miss a thing basketball related or school related. He's always there, he's always present, he's always engaged and in tune. I'm not a doctor, but his strength is truly inspiring," said Ryan DePouw, Greenfield High School head coach.

King's family's in attendance at the home game, his grandma telling us she's overwhelmed with the love being shown. Jahari's name and the number two are everywhere, being sold on bracelets, on baked goods, and T-shirts. The entire team's wearing those T-shirts for warmups.

"We need to do our best to support him however we can, by being there for him and checking in. We also need to support him by playing as hard as we can," said Coach DePouw.

Coach Ryan DePouw calls King a team leader.

"The road to recovery, we don't know exactly what it's going to look like, how long it's gonna be, but we do know that he's gonna fight as hard as he possibly can," said Coach DePouw.

There will be another fundraiser in Jahari's honor for stroke awareness at Greenfield HS on Tuesday, Dec. 10, when there will be doubleheader girls and boys basketball games.