BRADENTON, Fla. — Athletes from Manatee and Sarasota counties are showing their support for a 19-year-old who was seriously injured in a rollover crash in February.
The crash happened on February 28 on US-41. Jack Kelley's Audi was seen on a security camera flipping over several times. FHP troopers later arrested the driver who caused the crash and failed to stay at the scene.
Ticket sales from the 2019 All Star Basketball games on Wednesday night went to Kelley's mounting medial bills. The 19-year-old spent weeks in intensive care at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He is now at a rehab facility in Georgia where he is getting additional care.
"They have to build that muscular strength and they have to test his cognitive ability and we don’t know where that is right now. He can clearly hold a conversation, tell jokes just like you’re talking to Jack before anything happened," said Jack's father, Michael Kelley.
Jack Kelley played Varsity basketball for Lakewood Ranch High School before graduating. His basketball family is now rooting for his recovery.
"Next year when we are sitting at the state championship, our goal is to have Jack there cheering on the sideline, jumping up and down with the rest of his teammates," said Jeremy Schiller, Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.
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"When he wanted something to get done, it happened, getting a rebound, getting a shot, doing whatever he needed for the team," said Joshua Young, a Varsity basketball player for Lakewood Ranch High.
Jack's father said his son does not remember anything from the crash. Jack is hoping to be able to dunk a basketball again.
"We gave him a ball in the hospital and the goal is when he can dunk it, I want my ball back," said Coach Schiller.
Teammates also sold T-shirts at the game on Wednesday night. Sales from the shirts supported the family of Drevian Mays. He was shot and killed at a home in March. Police have released little details surrounding his death. He was a senior at Braden River High School and also played basketball.
