By Black News Staff

Josiah Johnson, an eighth-grade student at Moore Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky, was born without legs and has joined the school’s basketball squad.

Basketball is “something I had to do,” Josiah told WLKY. “I don’t want you to question me because I don’t have legs. I want to prove to you that I’m just as human as you are, and just as excellent, if not greater.”

Josiah has enjoyed practicing hoops since he was in kindergarten. He made the Moore Middle School basketball squad after trying out. This is his first year as a member of a squad.

“I pretended I wasn’t excited in front of coach,” Josiah explained. “I was delighted when I walked into the gym.”

He has been showing himself deserving of the spot he won on the team ever since.

“He shows up every day,” instructor Daquan Boyd said. “If we have to do sprints or anything like that, he runs them as well. It’s thrilling to see him go out there and do what everyone else does.”

Furthermore, in his first game, Josiah assisted his squad in defeating another school team.