Desert Oasis manager’s dream comes true as he comes off bench to score

Los Angeles Lakers legend and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and Desert Oasis senior Ron Chan have a few things in common.

Both love basketball, they're both in the midst of their farewell seasons and both scored milestone buckets Thursday night.

While Bryant was becoming the third player in NBA history to score 33,000 points during a game in Sacramento, Chan scored his first-ever points in a game.

Chan, a diehard Lakers fan whose favorite jersey to don when not suiting up for the Diamondbacks is Bryant's, has autism.

For the second time this season, Desert Oasis coach Ryan Fretz inserted Chan into the lineup late in a game, only this time the 18-year-old team manager made the most of his opportunity.

Earlier this season he missed his shots from the floor against Eldorado.

Thursday night in Desert Oasis' 72-48 win over Bonanza, he finished with four points.

"The first thing, I dribbled so I wouldn't travel; and then I just took my hook shot and made it," said Chan, whose video of his first bucket has gone viral. "It was the best game in the whole world for me."

Fretz said getting Chan in the game wasn't planned out with Bonanza coach Dan Savage, but when the Bengals were made aware of the sparingly used reserve's presence, they "did the right thing" and watched the special field goal attempt like everyone else in the gym.

"We got up by 20 points and we put Ron in the game," said Fretz, who contemplated whether or not to dress Chan for the game, as it was a last-minute decision. "In a class act, the Bonanza boys knew what to do and let Ron have his moment."

The moment has carried over to the next day, as former Runnin' Rebel great and Rancho star Greg Anthony was one of many who acknowledged Chan's big moment. A tweet put out by Bleacher Report was retweeted more than 2,000 times by 1 p.m.

Several tweets with the video, from various other Twitter users and members of the media, have gone viral as well.

"We think team first, we think family first, we think faith first," said Fretz, in his third year with the program. "I did not expect this (kind of publicity) at the beginning of the season. You don't think about things like this. I can't keep my phone charged with everything that is going on.

"We knew we were going to put him on the varsity roster. I mean, he shows up at intramurals, he's at every practice in his Kobe Bryant jersey and he puts in the work. The boys love him and support him like a teammate."

Chan, who has been the varsity team manager for four years, will receive a special letter that only four-year varsity lettermen receive.

"The first time I watched my son, I was surprised," said Chan's mother, Jonah. "He has friends, but I didn't know he had so many friends. I didn't sleep for two days. It was very exciting. I was so overwhelmed. I was crying. I called my family in Philippines. I'm so thankful for these players and coaches. They're very supportive of my son."

Just as Ron Chan is supportive of his teammates.

Asked about the team and what's next, Chan sounded like a true spokesman for the Diamondbacks.

"We have a good team, a good attitude, a good program," Chan said. "Next week we need to beat Palo Verde, and then Centennial. And the week after that, Shadow Ridge and Arbor View.

"We have a good team, like Kobe Bryant and the Lakers."