Celtics players hold clinic for boy battling hip disease

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A young Celtics fan received the gift of a lifetime: a green and gold makeover from his favorite team.

The little fan has shown a lot of heart as he's fought through a difficult disease. On Wednesday, the Celtics thanked him for his loyalty, and brought the TD Garden to him.

For 8-year-old Brenan Richards-Heim, the pressure was on.

He sunk the first official shot on his brand new basketball court in North Andover-- all built courtesy of Re/Max New England and the Boston Celtics.

“I have no clue what to say, but if there was a way to say thanks in the biggest way, then I would,” Brennan said.

Brennan suffers from a life-altering hip disease that sometimes has him in a wheelchair. But on Wednesday, he toughed it out to take some shots on his home court.

“He's an inspiration, he wakes up every morning with a smile on his face. He was told he can't run or jump, But he's figured out a way to play sports regardless,” said Tara Richards-Heim, Brennan’s mother

Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell and guard Avery Bradley were on hand for the dedication.

“It means a lot you know, seeing the smile on the family’s face and you know everything they've been through, and just seeing the kid smile, that means a lot to me,” said Avery Bradley, Celtics guard.

Brennan's room also got a makeover; with Celtics banners, bean bag chairs, and beds. It's the 21st such makeover in the past seven years, awarded through a simple essay contest.

“Every year I think we come in thinking we've heard the best story and every year we go in it and we find a more and more compelling story. And that's -- it's amazing the need that's out there,” said Christine George, Re/Max of New England.

After the dedication of his home court, the Celtics gave Brennan a basketball clinic for his family and friends.