The quick-thinking Queens teen who turned a basketball into a life preserver was honored yesterday for his heroic pass to a drowning youngster.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall presented Saide Palmer, 15, with a citation and a $100 gift certificate to Modell’s.
Saide, who plans to buy a new basketball, among other things, with his prize, said, “I’m still the same person. I didn’t really feel like a hero until today.”
On Aug. 3, Saide heard screaming outside his Rockaway home, saw two kids thrashing around in Jamaica Bay and called 911.
He can’t swim and knew he had to act fast.
So he tossed a basketball to 7-year-old Devin Erwin, who held on to it and made it to shore. Devin was unhurt.
Then firefighter Craig Mosia arrived, jumped in and rescued Tab Miller. Tab, 13, remains in critical condition.
Saide also got a St. John’s basketball jersey from assistant coach Chris Casey, who wouldn’t rule out a spot for him someday on the Red Storm.
“I hear it was a great pass,” he said. “So, who knows?”