For 10-year-old Holden, basketball has become about so much more than the game.
It’s about friendship. It’s about confidence. And it’s about finding a team that celebrates him exactly as he is.
Matched with Connecticut College men’s basketball through Team IMPACT in 2024, Holden has found a second family alongside the team. Living with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow failure disorder, Holden has spent much of his young life navigating challenges that no child should have to face. But on the basketball court, those challenges take a back seat to the friendships that have transformed his world.
At the center of that transformation is his teammate, RJ. From the very beginning, RJ made it a priority to meet Holden where he was. Whether that meant shooting baskets together at practice, sitting beside him to explain what was happening during drills, or simply making sure Holden felt included, RJ’s patience and kindness helped create a friendship built on trust.
“RJ has shown kindness and friendship throughout our journey,” Holden’s family shared. “He always meets Holden where he is and was the person who got Holden’s little sister involved and comfortable with the team.”
RJ’s impact extended beyond Holden. Recognizing that Team IMPACT is about families as much as it is about children, RJ welcomed Holden’s little sister with the same warmth and enthusiasm, helping her feel like she belonged alongside the team. Before long, team dinners, events, and practices became experiences the entire family looked forward to together.
Today, Holden and his sister are familiar faces around Connecticut College Men’s Basketball. They attend team dinners, cheer from the sidelines, and celebrate alongside the players, not as guests, but as members of the family.
One of the most meaningful moments came when Holden was officially added to the team’s roster. For many children, seeing their name on a roster is a dream. For Holden, it was a powerful reminder that he belonged.
“Holden was added to the official roster; the team and RJ continue to celebrate Holden for who he is, and it’s done wonders for Holden’s confidence.”
That confidence has continued to grow in ways his family never expected.
Inspired by RJ’s encouragement, Holden challenged himself to complete a 5K alongside his teammates, his family shared. A moment that wasn’t about crossing the finish line first, but about believing he could do something difficult.
“RJ has been like a big brother and has been Holden’s biggest fan,” his family said. “Holden was even empowered to do the 5K with his team to make RJ proud.”
Sometimes the greatest teammates aren’t the ones who score the most points.
They’re the ones who slow down, explaining the game. The ones who make sure siblings feel included. The ones who cheer the loudest from the sidelines and help someone believe in themselves just a little more than they did yesterday.
RJ has done all of that and more for Holden.
At Team IMPACT, friendship isn’t measured by statistics. It’s measured by confidence gained, families embraced, and the quiet moments that remind every child they are valued exactly as they are.
For Holden, RJ hasn’t just been a teammate. He’s been a mentor, a role model, a biggest fan, and the kind of big brother every child deserves.
