Little Basketball Player With Big Heart

March 28, 2008 — -- From the day Carsen Main was born, his parents knew he had a secret strength.

"He was a very good baby," said his mom, Ashlee Main.

His dad, Danny Main, added, "The nurses gave him the nickname of Houdini because he would always struggle out of his swaddled blankets. They don't know how he had the strength to do it."

Carsen was born with a genetic disorder that causes dwarfism. He is now 7 and stands one inch shorter than his 3-year-old brother. Carsen is 2 feet tall.

That doesn't hold him back, though. "It doesn't matter how tall you are," he said.

His personality and attitude more than make up for his height. "I just like how he is like funny and outgoing. He's fun. He just wants to be friends with everyone," said his sister Sienna.

Carsen has also become a star on the basketball court.

"I love basketball because you have fun and you shoot a lot and you get the rebounds and dribble," Carsen said.

Just a few weeks ago something magical happened – Carsen was selected MVP for his hustle on the court. Carsen's story made it to the front page of The Denver Post.

"He's an inspiration," said Shawna Jewell, whose son is on Carsen's basketball team. "He has such drive and determination and he never gets frustrated or has a look of discouragement. It's always a look of hope and smiling."

And his teammates appreciate that drive. "He's a very good player even though he's little. He never gives up," said Dax Littleton.

Carsen believes that trying is as good as winning and that being different is no big deal in basketball, or life. It's a lesson he's passing along to others.

"He's teaching people that no matter how small you are you can still do it and if you set your mind to it and really want to do it then you can do it," Sienna said.

But sometimes the world can be unforgiving even when you're as special and beloved as Carsen. Other children occasionally tease him and people sometimes stare.