Boston Celtics

Terry Rozier’s connection to leukemia patient unforgettable

Terry Rozier (left) was just starting his sophomore season at Louisville when he met Patrick McSweeney. Courtesy Patrick McSweeney

That November afternoon two years ago was one of the best days of Patrick McSweeney’s life, a day he could block out all the chemotherapy and T-cell treatments and bone marrow transplants. But he wasn’t sure if Celtics guard Terry Rozier would remember.

Nevertheless, when McSweeney, 17, attended the Celtics’ road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday during a break from medical treatments, he packed the old basketball jersey, just in case. And he waited.

One day in the summer of 2004, McSweeney was at a youth swim meet in Louisville, his hometown, and struggling to make it across the pool. His mother, Debbie, tried coaxing him with his favorite candy, but he ended up just wrapping his arms around the lane dividers.

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