Charlotte, NC — In basketball, Cinderella moments are the ones no one sees coming — the ones that change everything in an instant. On Saturday night at the Dream On 3 Gala, Charlotte teenager London Potts lived out one of her own when she was surprised with a VIP trip to the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
What began as an evening where London believed she was simply a guest of honor quickly transformed into a moment the entire ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center will remember. The 17-year-old learned she had been selected as the first recipient of the NJCAA x Dream On 3 Dream Come True, and that she would be flying to Lake Charles, Louisiana, the very next morning for a championship experience designed just for her.
London, who lives with an intellectual and developmental disability, has navigated significant challenges — from finding the right school environment at Charlotte's Phillips Academy to managing seizures. Yet her spirit has remained unmistakably bright. Today, she is thriving: confident, connected, and surrounded by a community that celebrates her strengths.
Her day leading up to the Gala — from limo rides to glam moments — was filmed by Wheelhouse Productions and shown to the audience just before she took the stage. When the lights came up and the announcement was made, the Crown Ballroom erupted. London learned not only that she had been chosen, but that her dream experience would begin immediately.
London's championship experience will include VIP access, behind-the-scenes moments, athlete meet-and-greets, and opportunities to experience the game she loves in a deeply personal way. Dream On 3 and the NJCAA are teaming up with Visit Lake Charles and the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority to ensure she's welcomed with unforgettable moments throughout her time at the tournament.
A National Partnership With Local Impact
London's reveal also marked a milestone in the recently launched partnership between two Charlotte-based organizations with national reach: the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Dream On 3. Together, they are expanding access to meaningful, sports-inspired experiences for young people with life-altering conditions.
London is the first dreamer to participate through this initiative, a moment that reflects both organizations' shared belief in opportunity, inclusion and the power of sports to inspire confidence and belonging.
Through the NJCAA x Dream On 3 partnership, dreamers will now have new pathways to engage with collegiate athletics — from championship events to on-campus experiences — offering them a chance to connect with student-athletes, explore new environments, and feel the energy of college sports up close. The partnership will open doors for dreamers across the country, but its very first impact story belongs to a Charlotte family.
"London's experience marks a powerful first step in our partnership with the NJCAA. She isn't just the first dreamer, she's the beginning of what will become countless opportunities for young people across the country," said Elizabeth Lindsey, Dream On 3 Co-Founder and Executive Director. "This partnership allows us to reach more kids like London, giving them access to championship moments, college campuses, and the belief that their dreams belong in these spaces. Watching her take this first journey reminds us of what's possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to inclusion and hope."
Media Assets/Availability
Photos from London's Dream Reveal at the Dream On 3 Gala are available by request for editorial use (please credit B.A.W. Media). Other professional photos and videos from London's championship experience will be available following the tournament. Interviews with Dream On 3 leadership and NJCAA representatives can be arranged upon request.
About Dream On 3
Dream On 3 (DO3) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization headquartered in Charlotte, NC, dedicated to creating unforgettable sports-themed Dream Experiences for children and young adults (ages 5–21) living with life-altering conditions. By creating personal, joyful experiences with athletes, teams, and sporting events, DO3 inspires hope, builds community, and changes lives. The organization continues to expand its national reach, connecting deserving dreamers with unforgettable experiences and their heroes in the world of sports. To learn more about Dream On 3, visit www.dreamon3.org.
About the NJCAA
Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with over 500 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 28 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals.
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