'Never Give Up': NH Teen With Rare Disorder Playing On School Basketball Team
HILLSBORO, N.H. (CBS) – Whoever says size matters hasn't met 14-year-old Tristan Wilmott.
He's only 3'5" but still taking the court for his high school's JV basketball team.
"I know I'm small but I'm 14 and I want people to believe I am my own age," Tristan told WBZ-TV.
He's a freshman and plays JV basketball for the Hillsboro-Deering High School Hillcats.
Tristan suffers from mulibrey nanism, a rare genetic growth disorder that is a form of dwarfism.
"He's not going to get very tall," Tristan's mom Jessie Wilmott said, adding that her son will likely only reach about four feet tall.
But Tristan's small stature does not stop him from the playing the game he loves.
"I've been looking forward to playing my whole life. I have 14 points so far this season," Tristan said.
On the court his teammates rally around him.
"When he scores all the crowd goes wild," teammate Kyle Brown says.
Tristan admits he still has a lot learn about the game of basketball, but he thanks his mom for all her support.
"She teaches me never to give up and don't quit," Tristan said.
Tristan says he loves to run up and down the court and loves to shoot. But what he enjoys most is playing with his teammates.
"It's good sportsmanship and everything. That's why I like it," Tristan said.
