TACOMA, Wash. — What began as an effort to do for young athletes exactly what Seattle natives Jason Terry and Jamal Crawford did for him, Isaiah Thomas' ninth Zeke-End Tournament achieved its goal of making the NBA seem attainable.

When Klay Thompson, Paolo Banchero and a host of NBA teammates from the Pacific Northwest walked into the main gymnasium at Tacoma Community College, they were greeted by a sea of young athletes — many of whom never imagined they'd be within arm's reach of their idols.

Dreaming becomes easier when young athletes can see and touch those who have made it big, according to Thomas.

These athletes came out to help fulfill that goal, but the event also gave Malachi Flynn, Jaylen Nowell, Payton Pritchard and Banchero the chance to thank Thomas for laying the foundation and being their version of Terry and Crawford.

"It means a lot because I'm one of the older guys now compared to them," Thomas said. "When I was coming up, Jamal Crawford and Jason Terry did the same thing to me and they inspired me. It means a lot. Obviously, I got their respect. I appreciate them for always coming out and showing their support for the event because without them in the community, this event is nothing."

Banchero, the top pick in the 2022 NBA draft, grew up in Seattle with the University of Washington in his blood.

Though both his parents competed at the university, he became a fan when as a 10-year-old he watched the 5-foot-9 guard take the city by "storm."

"That's probably the most important thing is being in front of the kids and letting them see you up close," Banchero said. "I know how much it means to them because I was the same kid. When he was at U-Dub it was special. I hadn't seen anybody take the city by storm like he did. He was just a phenomenon around the city.

"I was a young kid and going to his games and just watching how hard he played, the passion he played with. Even though we're in different positions, different type players, like just seeing the fire he played with inspired me as a young kid and I've carried that with me."

Inspired by one shot, when Thomas hit a game-winner against Arizona in the 2011 Pac-10 tournament final, that forever lives in Huskies lore, some decided to stay home and commit.

"I still remember that shot he hit against Arizona," Nowell said. "That's like the most famous shot in Seattle. Him hitting that shot was definitely one of the reasons why I wanted to go to U-Dub and be a part of that legacy. And then for him to throw things like this, he doesn't have to do this. Him choosing to do this is a blessing. I think everybody in Seattle should be really thankful because he's special."

Even for those who went to Washington State, the fact that he did what he did as a small guard from Tacoma offered hope.

"It's inspiring, to say the least," Flynn said. "He's from the same city I'm from, probably grew up 10, 15 minutes from the same areas that I did. Small guard, undersized and all odds against him and he made it out. As a young kid, seeing that, it gave me hope. He paved the way for people like me.

"I'm a young kid just looking up to him, like being the 60th pick, who would have thought he would have made it? That was motivation knowing that somebody from the same city can do it."

That hope extended across the entire Pacific Northwest, reaching even Tualatin, Ore., where it inspired a future Celtic.

"He's somebody that I've looked up to growing up," Pritchard said. "Seeing his success and being the player he is, I just always wanted to come back and play in his event. But, also, just to be around somebody like that and be associated with him is big time. Being an undersized guard and the way he's able to score and kill the game, that gave me hope.

"I really try to take things from him to put it in my own game. The passion he has for the game and the will, it was really motivating."

Appreciation didn't stop there.

Jaden McDaniels, MarJon Beauchamp, Crawford (who didn't play), Larry Williams (known as Bone Collector), NCAA Tournament breakout Jack Gohlke, Erik Stevenson and Craig Randall II, among others, all made an appearance.

The tournament style, which deviates from the typical pro-am format, makes it much more competitive and draws these athletes back home.

But what truly sets it apart is how that intensity reflects a desire to honor someone who defied all the odds through his own competitive spirit.

"There's a lot of good players, a lot of NBA dudes that come back and play," Pritchard said. "It's not like dudes are just out here throwing up random shots. They are actually trying to play and compete. That's what I love about it. We all compete because we are playing in a tournament that is run by one of the biggest competitors out there."

Nowell added, "If you don't show up to play, you will get embarrassed. The competitive nature just comes from wanting to win and really wanting to be one of the best to step on the court. It's how Isaiah got to where he is today, so we just all want to do the same to show respect."

Competitiveness whenever stepping on the hardwood is something Banchero holds close.

It's all he knows, thanks to those who came before him.

"It motivates me a lot because I watched all these guys," Banchero said. "I studied their every move growing up and I knew everything about them. When it was my time to step on the scene and get better, they all just showed a lot of love. I have looked up to them since I was a kid. To now have personal relationships with them, I don't take it for granted."

"I can't say enough about him. I just want to show him how much he means to Seattle through the work I put in and the places I go."

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