Sixer for a day: Birmingham joins Sixers on short-term deal

The Adelaide 36ers have signed Brock Birmingham on a one-day deal, bringing the ten-year-old to the club under a short-term arrangement.

A North Adelaide Rockets junior, Birmingham brings experience beyond his tender years and a positive outlook on life which is infectious to those who meet him.

The signing was made possible after his family reached out to the Adelaide 36ers to tell the basketball-mad boy’s story, including the recent amputation of his right leg.

Brock joined the playing group at training this week, sitting in on team meetings and being tasked with the responsibility of announcing the club’s captain for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season.

“The experience was really good, meeting all of the 36ers players and watching them train,” Brock told Adelaide 36ers Media, admitting to having some nerves about the captaincy announcement.

“The best part was probably meeting Zylan Cheatham because he's my favourite player. He's athletic, funny, and he can dunk.

“He gave me a pair of his shoes and a signature on my little cast.

“It was just a really special day for me.”

Brock was born with a condition called club foot and was later diagnosed with another condition called fibular hemimelia.

It has meant the resilient Sixers fan has had to endure multiple surgeries including leg lengthening surgery three years ago.

Complications following surgery led to the difficult decision to amputate his leg, and two weeks on, he has already been back on the court.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Brock admitted of the decision.

“But it was the better option because my ankle wasn't very good and my leg was just not good so it was the best idea to amputate it because I could have a more sporty life and keep playing basketball.”

Brock already has plans once he is fitted with a prosthetic leg to return to the Rockets and keep playing with his under 12 team.

It’s a mentality that has even surprised his mother Stacey Birmingham and father Travis Birmingham.

“It's pretty incredible to see him still being that fun, energetic, go get-it kid that he was prior to the amputation and I think that mentality that he has and the determination that he has within himself is what will take him where he needs to be, and I just can't wait to see his future unfold,” Stacey said.

“As a family and as his mum I'm so looking forward to this next journey and being able to support him in whatever he chooses to do.”

Speaking as the day wrapped up, proud mother Stacey described the experience as “incredible”.

“I think given the circumstances and the thoughts that go through your head as a parent to see your child in a situation like we have, to be able to be here today and to meet Zylan Cheatham, his favourite NBL and 36ers player, would have meant the world to him today,” she smiled.

“He said to us earlier that it's been the best day of his life and that's the cherry on the cake for us.

“All we want to see as parents is for our children to be happy and just being able to be included in things and feel the joy that all kids should feel.

“It's just been such a humbling experience to be here today amongst the guys and the coaches here at the 36ers. It's just been so incredible. I'm speechless.

“For him to think that, wow, you know, a 10-year-old boy signed to the 36ers for a day and have that introduction to the guys at the start in that huddle and be able to announce the captain as Bryce Cotton, that's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it's something that he'll remember forever.”