Three Sizes Too Small

He was quiet, imposing, and determined. But only Moses knew he was on borrowed time.

He didn’t say much when he walked onto the court for his first Street2Street tournament. He didn’t need to. His presence spoke for itself.

Street2Street tournaments are a rare opportunity for kids like Moses. Most tournaments cost hundreds of dollars, locking out kids who don’t have that kind of money. But here, at Street2Street, Moses finally got his chance.

From the opening whistle, his talents were obvious. His team was winning, and his joy was evident. But as the games wore on, something started to change. Moses started slowing down, his runs haltering, his smiles becoming grimaces, his once graceful movements now hobbles.

After the third game, Moses picked up his bag and was leaving the park.

"Moses! Your team is winning!" I called. "Where are you going? Are you hurt?"

He looked my way, his face awash in disappointment. “No,” he replied. “I’m not injured. It’s just that my shoes are too small. It hurts too bad to play anymore.”

Not just too small, but three sizes too small. Moses had been running the courts with his size 11.5 feet crammed into size 8.5 shoes. And what ragged shoes they were. He’d been wearing them since they did fit, however long ago that may have been, because that’s all he had.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to show up for kids like Moses when they needed it most. Because of your support, we gifted him a beautiful, brand-new pair of basketball sneakers.

Size 11.5.

He lifted the lid on the shoebox, gently pushed aside the tissue paper, and pulled his new shoes out for inspection, first pulling back the tongue on one to see the imprint, confirming they really were his size. And then he turned each of them over in his hands several times, as if to be sure they were real. A smile spread across his face.

"I’m so grateful. Thank you so much," Moses said.

In his eyes, I saw not just appreciation, but hope. And a sweet reminder that someone saw him, believed in him, and—at just the right moment—gave him what he needed to get back in the game.

You didn’t just give Moses basketball shoes. You gave him the chance to play, to stay in the game, to belong.