STANFORD, Calif. – Kyle Smith, Stanford’s Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball, has announced the signing of Alexander Papakostas through Team IMPACT.
“We are thrilled to announce the signing of Alexander. He has already laid the ground work by contributing in two huge road wins for the Card,” said Smith. “His addition has been a big boost already, and having him officially sign with us makes it official. He is not going anywhere - Alexander is with us. Card family for life!”
Alexander, who is 11, was diagnosed on May 28, 2021 with B Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, stage three. This is a type of cancer that affects 40 kids in the United States per year. Alexander’s treatment was two-and-a-half years long, in and out of the hospital with intensive chemotherapy treatments. Alexander is currently in remission.
“We would like to thank Team IMPACT and our Stanford Men’s Basketball family for this incredible life changing opportunity,” said Alexander’s parents, Natalia and Peter. “Cancer really took a toll on our family and especially Alexander. This experience has given Alexander so much confidence, friendships, and it has taught him lifelong lessons that will impact him forever. We have no words to thank everyone for all that they do!”
Alexander is obsessed with sports and has a dream to become a professional athlete. Despite the rigorous, intense, and frequent treatments involved with his battles with cancer, he remains strong, brave, faithful, funny, resilient, and determined to kick cancer in the butt. Multi-cultural and trilingual, he currently plays basketball, soccer, flag football and baseball.
Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. It creates a network of support where children are officially drafted to the team and become full-fledged members of the program, attending practices, games, team activities and more.
For more information about Team IMPACT, visit teamimpact.org.