GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T men's basketball head coach, Monté Ross, introduced a new player to the Aggies lineup on Monday as 13-year-old Israel "Izzy" Mathews became the newest member of the Aggie family. Izzy came to Aggieland through Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization specializing in partnering children with serious illnesses or disabilities with a collegiate sports team. Through this partnership, student-athletes can become more involved in their community and aspire to be more compassionate leaders. A ceremonial signing and press conference for Izzy with the local media and the 2023-24 men's basketball team in attendance was held on Monday, December 4, 2023, inside Moore Gymnasium.
"Izzy is a very outgoing young man, who's going to help all of the shy guys that we have around this room, our family; he's going to help those guys come out of their shells," said Ross. "Whenever we can get somebody that can be a true, true contributor, we welcome them with open arms."
According to Ross, Colin Daly, director of basketball operations for the men's basketball team, was the force behind Mathews' recruitment process. Daly introduced Ross to Mathews, for which the coach's response was, "If you don't do anything, make sure you get Izzy."
Mathews is diagnosed with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, a highly aggressive form of leukemia that affects bone marrow, skin, lymph nodes, and blood. This rare disease affects people of all ages and demographics, with fewer than 1,000 cases reported each year. Older men are commonly diagnosed with this disease.
While under the men's basketball program's wings, Mathews has a program tailored to his needs to help him achieve his goals. Jordyn Clark, a case manager for Team IMPACT, sings praises about the men's basketball program welcoming Mathews.
"When they were matched, A&T's men's basketball team was great from the start. They were excited and ready to make Izzy a part of their team. From the first visit, Izzy's mom stated that the team made Izzy feel right at home and really feel a part of the team, and that's what it's all about," said Clark. "They are authentic and want Izzy to be in the world and don't treat him differently."
To conclude Mathews' signing event, the men's basketball program presented Mathews with a No. 14 jersey and a photo shoot with the team. The partnership with Team IMPACT and A&T's men's basketball program is their first collaboration. Through Team IMPACT, the men's basketball program has been scheduled to meet with Mathews several times a month for over two years.
Mathews' relationship with the men's basketball program is a touching moment to give back to the community while positively impacting the youth of tomorrow.
