Breaking down barriers one bucket at a time

Not even Shepparton Gators star Derek Murphy is safe.

Derek has travelled from Detroit to Luxembourg to play basketball, playing against top talent from all over the world before arriving in Shepparton to suit up for the Gators.

But on Wednesday, May 31, he found himself at the Guthrie St Primary School stadium, powerless to do anything but watch as the ball flew out of Liam’s hands and dropped perfectly through the net.

Swish.

Liam erupted into celebration, looking around in shock as if he could not believe what just happened.

He pointed at the spot on the court where he shot it so that all surrounding spectators could be left in no doubt that Liam just hit a three on Derek Murphy.

The collaboration between the two local basketball legends came about following a post from the Shepparton Demons Basketball Club about Liam and his interpreter that gained massive traction online.

Liam plays competitive games with the help of his long-time interpreter, Darren Miller.

In the classroom, with the help of an FM receiver, Liam can hear well, but on the basketball court, it’s difficult for him to differentiate sounds due to background noise.

Darren is a qualified interpreter who has been with Liam's family for many years.

“I started interpreting for Liam at three-year-old kinder, and he’s just a fantastic kid,” Darren said.

He accompanies Liam on the court, signing updates on the game to Liam, particularly helping him understand referee calls that while typically have an accompanying hand gesture, are quick and easy to miss in the flow of a game.

During breaks and stoppages, Darren joins the team huddles to relay comments or instructions from teammates and coaches to Liam.

“I’m running up and down the opposite side of the court, the refs do most things verbally or it’s really quick with the hand actions so I’m there to tell him if it was a foul or a time out or whatever, so it’s been really good,” Darren said.

“There’s a couple of young fantastic refs that come up to me before the game and ask what colour is blue and what colour is white (in sign language) because Liam was on the blue team and the other team was white, just to say to him if it’s blue or white ball so he understands.

“He appreciates that, his teammates all know he’s deaf and even the opposition, I’ve had a couple of kids after a game come up to me and ask how to sign ‘how are you?’, and then they go and say it to Liam and it always takes him by surprise.

“It’s all very inclusive, which is great.”

Liam said juggling what he was thinking about and his next move on the court while simultaneously keeping control of the ball was a challenge, but one of his favourite parts of the sport.

“I’m always trying to get the three-pointers, the two-pointers or even just a one-pointer,” Liam said.

When Shepparton Demons put out a post about Liam and his story, mother Renee O’Loughlin wasn’t surprised to see her little Liam become a viral sensation.

“I kind of knew it would have the reaction it did, Liam brings joy to everybody,” she said.

Renee said multiple people from the community had come up to say hi to Liam, and Demons club president Renae Wayman said her phone had been ringing off the hook.

Liam’s story was noticed by many, including the Goannas, Australia’s national deaf basketball representative team.

Liam had been to one of their games, and following the Facebook post the coach let Liam know a signed jersey was on the way.

The Goannas also attempted to recruit Liam via Facebook comment, asking him when he would be ready to don the green and gold for them.

They’ll have to wait in line though, as Liam’s heart lies with the navy and red.

He is an avid attender of Shepparton Gators games and is a massive fan of Detroit native Derek.

In the Facebook post Liam selected Derek as his favourite player.

“I’ve never seen an American player, I love watching him dunk,” he said.

Derek said he was familiar with Liam’s game, having ran a couple of clinics at the Guthrie St stadium for the Demons club.

“Liam is very enthusiastic, anybody can see that while watching him play,” Derek said.

“It’s a blessing to play this game, none of us know when the ball is going to stop bouncing for us, so that’s why I always preach to the kids to give it their all every time you step out on the court and play with joy, and Liam really embodies that.”

Derek said Liam would often seek him out in the crowd following a Gators game for a picture.

“I always say, for me, travelling the world and playing basketball, it’s always bigger than basketball, it’s always about inspiring the kids and the next generation for me,” he said.

“I first saw the story on Facebook, he had mentioned me as one of his favourite players — when I saw the post it meant a lot to me.

“He said he loved me and I commented under the post that I loved him too, and the rest is history.”