Cleveland Cavaliers Star Matthew Dellavedova Befriends Ohio Teen With Cancer After Escorting Her to Prom

— -- Ever since Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Matthew Dellavedova escorted Jackie Custer to a prom earlier this year, they've remained friends -- and the Canton, Ohio, teen says the hoops star has become an "inspiration" in her battle with leukemia.

The two often communicate on Twitter, where they tweet or direct message each other, Custer, 17, told ABC News today. She added that Dellavedova has given her tickets and VIP passes to games to meet him and has even given her a signed jersey.

"He's a big inspiration for me in the way that he's stepping up and fighting even harder despite the fact that a lot of former players have left," Custer said. "He inspires me to keep fighting and never give up in my own battle."

Custer, who's also a point guard for her high school's basketball team, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year after she came home with a swollen arm after practice one day, she said.

She met Dellavedova last March at "A Prom to Remember" at Akron Children's Hospital, where a few Cleveland Cavalier and Browns players volunteered to escort patients from their limos to the prom.

"There was a lady there who said I could pick any of the players to escort me to prom, so I chose him," she said. "It was the greatest night of my life. It was so amazing."

The escorts also included Cavs power forward Anderson Varejao and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Brian Hartline, but Custer chose Dellavedova, according to a news release from the hospital.

"I told him I was a basketball player, and when he found out I was also a point guard, he was excited that we played the same position," Custer said. "He also asked me how far I thought the Cavs would go, and I said all the way."

After the magical night was over, Custer tweeted at the Cavs star to let him know she had an extra copy of their prom picture, she said, adding that she wanted to get it to him at an upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls she planned to attend.

"He messaged me on Twitter and told me he could get my family and I passes to go down and see him at the end of the game," Custer said. "When I saw him, I gave him the photo and we took lots of pictures, talked about the game. And he even had a little present for me. It was a signed jersey."

As he prepares for Game 6 of the NBA Finals tonight, in which the Cavaliers face possible elimination, Dellavedova did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. But he has found time for Custer.

Just last night, Dellavedova messaged Custer again, giving her and her father tickets to see him play in tonight's big game against the Golden State Warriors, she said.

"I just want to tell him, 'Good luck, and play hard,' because tonight could be his last game of the season," Custer said. "I'd also want to tell him to give it 100 percent, but I know he always does."