The real winner of tonight’s NBA Finals game six will be revealed even before the ball hits the court. Cleveland Cavaliers fan favorite Marlana VanHoose, a blind teenager with cerebral palsy, is scheduled to belt out the national anthem.
The inspirational nineteen-year-old’s vocals have enchanted audiences at past Cleveland Cavaliers and Kentucky women’s basketball games. ESPN highlighted her story in a December episode of “E:60.” Through her performances, VanHoose proves that disability is no match for talent and hard work.
Her strong voice may prove to be a good luck charm for the Cavaliers, who are unbeaten in games at which VanHoose has sung.
But VanHoose’s performance injects a message of humility into the highly competitive NBA Finals atmosphere. As witnesses to what’s sure to be a moving performance tonight by VanHoose, neither team can lose.
To preview her vocals before the game starts at 9 p.m. EST, watch one of her national anthem performances at a past Cavaliers game.
Emily Leayman is an intern at the Washington Examiner
