The Phoenix Suns this morning announced the “signing” of Phoenix Christian Preparatory student-athlete, Jared Ornoski, as an honorary member of the Suns front office. Ornoski, a 17 year-old point-guard for the boys’ basketball team, is currently in a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Ornoski was surprised by Suns president of basketball operations, Lon Babby, during a school assembly with classmates and friends. After signing a contract with Babby, Jared and his father Mike hopped into a limousine to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, where they boarded a plane bound for New York City and will join Suns center Alex Len for the NBA Draft Lottery tomorrow night. The event will determine where the Suns select in the First Round of the June NBA Draft, and will air on ESPN at 5 p.m. (MST). Photos of today’s “signing” and sendoff are attached.
In addition to attending the Draft Lottery with Len, Ornoski will participate in various front office initiatives in advance of the NBA Draft on June 25. Ornoski will sit in on a pre-draft workout, join the front office for a draft planning session, and support the front office at Draft time. The Suns will use #PHX4Jared on social media during his time with the team.
On January 5, in the middle of his junior basketball season, Ornoski visited the doctor for a lump in his neck and was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Ornoski is scheduled for his final chemo session in late May, with the initial size of his tumor having already shrunk by 80%. Throughout his battle, Jared has proactively worked to raise funds and awareness of the disease, hoping to help others who are dealing with a similar situation.
Members of the community can assist Jared and his family through the following link: Suns.com/Jared.