“I didn't need to meet her to understand and know how strong she was. It was great to be around her, to see her enthusiasm and her fight,” James said. "It's like she doesn't even have it. It's not going to stop her. That's a very unique trait.

“I couldn’t understand why she would choose to meet me. Why not go to Disney World? Why not do something cool? Why would you want to meet me? I feel blessed.”

James gave his game jersey and an autographed pair of shoes to Nettles-Bey, and met with her privately for a few minutes after the game. A few other Heat team members took the time to visit, including Dwyane Wade, who posed for photos with the family.

“They didn’t act like stars. They acted like they knew me,” Nettles-Bey said.

Bucks vice president of media relations Dan Smyczek, who was instrumental in the event, said a Bucks season-ticket-holder donated three courtside seats for Nettles-Bey and two friends to watch the action. Other family members sat in the stands as guests of the Bucks.