It was a warm welcome in Acushnet Monday morning as basketball star Eric Demers received a Hometown Hero award.

Over at the Albert F. Ford Middle School, Celtics G-Leaguer Demers paid a visit to a friendly basketball game with the students against staff. The school was kind enough to have me join, so naturally, I jumped on Demers' team.

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Gazelle/Townsquare Media
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Demers, an alumnus of the school district, also spoke with the students about his journey in the NBA. He was honored by Ford with a plaque that features him in the school basketball uniform.

A signed Maine Celtics Jersey will hang in the gym rafters as a symbol of hard work and perseverance.

"This is special. This is wild. I never in a million years thought I'd have a framed jersey or anything like that in a school," Demers said. "I'm looking forward to visiting when it's hanging on the wall."

Demers will long remember getting to walk the halls of Ford Middle once again.

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"It's awesome to be able to come back to the school after being absent for a couple of years, especially with the pandemic," Demers said. "It's great to see that a lot of teachers and familiar faces still work here and meet some new ones, and just getting back to the community."

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Gazelle/Townsquare Media
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Education and following your dreams is what landed Demers where he is today. He encourages children to chase their dreams, especially while they're young.

"A lot of people like to push their dreams to the side, but truly go after them while you can since you have the rest of your life to work," Demers said. "Give it an opportunity so you don't have regrets later on."

Demers attended Gordon College, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer.

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