MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nick often noticed the persistent dark circles beneath his eyes and his gradual struggles on the basketball courts that once felt like second nature to him. Even something as simple as lying on the exam table at his pediatrician’s office proved exhausting, forcing him to take breaks whenever his mother stepped out for a private conversation.
During car rides with his mother, he would drift off to sleep until jolted awake by a speed bump. It was then he caught sight of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and posed the heart-wrenching question, “Do I have cancer?”
At just 14 years old, Nick was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a harsh reality that dashed his dreams of playing basketball for the Memphis Tigers. Yet, despite the tenacious fight against cancer and the rigorous treatment he underwent a decade ago to stay alive, his aspirations on the court were stifled.
On Tuesday, the Memphis basketball program will host a doubleheader exhibition—a cause that Nick helped inspire. The event will feature the Tigers facing off against No. 9 North Carolina at FedExForum, followed by the women’s team taking on defending national champion South Carolina in what they are calling the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic.
This exhibition is particularly poignant as it coincides with Nick’s 25th birthday, serving as a celebration beyond just himself.
The event serves as a fundraiser for St. Jude, an institution committed to pediatric care, and stands as a testament to the changing landscape of NCAA exhibitions. Previously limited to closed-door scrimmages, recent rule adjustments now enable Division I teams to conduct exhibitions where all ticket sales are directed towards a specified charitable cause.
For instance, No. 12 Tennessee, the reigning champions of the Southeastern Conference, will host a game against Indiana on October 27, with proceeds benefiting the John McLendon Foundation, which supports scholarships for minority graduate students pursuing careers in athletics administration. Another notable match pits John Calipari’s Arkansas team against Kansas on October 25, with funds split between the Fore the Kids Foundation in Kansas and Arkansas Children’s Hospitals.
North Carolina’s coach Hubert Davis and Memphis coach Penny Hardaway share a friendship that dates back to their NBA days. The two have long discussed bringing their teams together, especially after Davis lost his mother to cancer. “The opportunity to serve together was an easy decision for both of us,” Davis expressed with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley, eager to set up a regular-season matchup with Memphis coach Alex Simmons, found herself unable to schedule a return game anytime soon due to existing commitments. Nevertheless, Staley felt fortunate that Simmons allowed this exhibition to happen.
“I just received a St. Jude envelope in the mail, and I’ve contributed to the organization in the past,” Staley shared. “This will also include hospital visits so that our players can meet the incredible people who support the families and children facing these challenges. The need is substantial, and I want my players to understand that firsthand.”
The doubleheader event is envisioned as a potential annual occasion by Richard Shadyac Jr., the president and CEO of ALSAC, which is the fundraising and awareness arm of St. Jude. Shadyac noted that cancer is the primary illness affecting children in the United States, with developing nations facing even worse survival rates. Each year, around 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, underscoring the urgency of St. Jude’s mission to provide essential cancer medications to over 120,000 children in 50 countries within a five-year period.
According to Shadyac, events like this are pivotal in raising funds and awareness that enable St. Jude to pursue ambitious goals and provide care for children battling cancer.
Nick’s journey is intimately woven into this story. His father hurried to witness his birth during a Memphis basketball event on October 15, 1999, and just 15 years later, on another momentous night, rushed to St. Jude after receiving an alarming call about his son’s diagnosis.
For Nick’s parents, Paris and Tangela, the news turned their world upside down. Fortunately, the staff at St. Jude communicated clearly about Nick’s challenges and the high cure rates associated with his condition. Most importantly, their treatment required no financial burden, enabling the family to focus solely on supporting Nick’s recovery journey.
“St. Jude provided us with a chance to focus solely on Nick and ourselves, ensuring we remained strong as he persevered,” said Paris.
As Nick underwent treatment, the gym—once his emotional sanctuary—became out of reach, leading him to channel his feelings into writing. Other patients turned to art, and when someone introduced Nick to music creation with an iPad, he found a new passion that eclipsed basketball. With a $15 microphone, he embarked on a journey that culminated in the release of his album “Concrete Dreams” in October 2022.
The inspiration for this fundraising initiative came after Nick spoke to the Memphis men’s basketball team last December. The close-knit basketball community became acutely aware of his story, especially considering Nick’s father had played for the Tigers, illuminating the remarkable work that happens at St. Jude.
“The fact that my journey personalized the issue allows the players to connect emotionally with a cause that they are familiar with, but can now vividly understand,” Nick reflected.
As for Nick’s basketball legacy, it now lies in the hands of his younger brother, Paris III. The hope is that Nick, alongside his father and brother, will attend the doubleheader and that the charitable fundraising event becomes a lasting tradition.
“To me, this journey has been worthwhile,” Nick remarked with a sense of hope and gratitude.