Bulls Sign Teen Who Survived Liver Transplant for Wednesday's Game

CHICAGO, IL - A teenager who survived an eight-hour liver transplant operation last year will be on the bench for the Chicago Bulls for tonight’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls officially signed Bennie “Trey” Flowers to a ceremonial one-day contract on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune and others report. The 17-year-old Kansas City native who attends high school in Portland, Oregon idolized Michael Jordan growing up and later became a fan of Dwyane Wade.

Flowers signed the contract Wednesday morning and is set to meet his teammates before tonight’s game against the Nets, when he will be on the bench at the United Center offering encouragement as the Bulls seek to win their second game in a row.

It’s Flowers’ spirit and toughness he showed during his operation in April 2015 that could provide some inspiration and fight in the Bulls as they look to win their 16th game of the season and get back to the .500 mark.

“I am thrilled to welcome Trey to the Bulls, as I know he will be the perfect teammate and professional on and off the court,” General Manager Gar Forman said. “Trey brings an unprecedented level of toughness and strength to our team after what he has been through, and we know he will be able to inspire his new teammates with his story. I am confident that he has all of the intangibles to be a real contributor to this team right away.”

The signing was made possible through a partnership between the Bulls and the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters in Oregon and Illinois.

“I’m excited to be a part of the organization. I’ve always admired Dwyane Wade and am eager to experience the game at the United Center,” Trey said. “They tell me I’m a fighter because of what I’ve overcome. I look forward to bringing that fighting spirit to the Bulls.”

More via the Chicago Tribune (Follow K.C. Johnson on Twitter: @KCJHoop)

Official: #Bulls sign Trey Flowers to a one-day contract from @ORWish! pic.twitter.com/tYCTuNo0Jf
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 28, 2016

Photo by Tim Moran