Gorham Player Plays Without Sound   

Middle School Basketball - Player Profile

December 4, 2008

By David Field

During a timeout during the game against Windham, Fangen gets the coach's comments from interpreter Amanda via sign language. Photo By David Field

As I watched the Gorham at Windham basketball game, I first noticed a young female on the Gorham bench that seemed to always jump up at timeouts.  Then I realized that she was signing to a player.  Which one?  I soon figured it out.  As I watched the game unfold, I told myself that this wasn’t an ordinary kid.  He was out playing ball and having fun.  I introduced myself to “Amanda” after the game and asked if I could do a quick story on the player she was signing for.  She obliged and I met Fangen Thompson and his coach Allen Grady as the seventh grade basketball game was played in front of us.

Fangen (pronounced with a strong G sound “FanGuhen”) is originally from China.  His parents adopted him at the age of 4.  He has been deaf since birth.  He attends Gorham Middle School and is in the eighth grade.  His mom is Teri Thomson-Porter and Dad is Henry Porter.  He has a deaf brother and 2 hearing sisters. 

Below is a profile I obtained while sitting with Allen, Amanda and Fangen:

Who is your favorite basketball player? Michael Jordan.

What is your favorite professional basketball team? Phoenix Suns.

What is your favorite food? Sushi

What do you do in your spare time? I play video games, read magazines and play backyard football.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I will be attending Gallaudet College, the top deaf college in the United States.  I am not sure of my major but I am thinking of culinary arts.  I like to cook.  (Gallaudet is located in Washington, DC)

Fangen has been playing basketball since he was a small child.  His position on the court is guard. 

Gorham's eighth grade boys basketball Coach Allen Grady had this to say about Fangen: “He's one of those kids that has a "nose" for the ball.  He's always in the middle of the play and has done everything we've asked of him.  He's often asked to cover much bigger kids, but never gets intimidated, and always steps up.  He's a great kid to coach and does everything he can to improve the team.” 

Best wishes to Fangen and his team mates during the basketball season.