University of Delaware basketball players recently attended one of Eli Larts’ games at the Kirkwood Soccer Club, giving the 11-year-old a huge dose of pride and attention.
Beginning Monday night and for the next several months, he’ll enjoy returning the favor.
Larts, a sixth grader at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School in Ogletown, will be on the bench as the Blue Hens open the 2022-23 season against Wilmington University at the Carpenter Center at 7 p.m. Monday.
He won’t be playing, of course, even though Larts has a handsome UD jersey bearing the number 30. He’ll just be watching and rooting for his new friends and teammates.
Larts was matched up with Delaware through Team IMPACT. The national nonprofit links kids coping with illness or disability with college teams in an effort that is educational and empowering for the children and probably the players, too. He’ll visit with the Blue Hens at practice, attend games and participate in community events with them.
It’s already been beneficial, said Larts’ mom, Carolyn, in Eli’s daily struggles with sickle cell disease. He has been involved in team activities since the summer and attended the Blue Hens’ youth basketball camp, during which players serve as coaches.
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“He loves these guys,” she said. “He talks about them all the time.”
The feeling is apparently mutual.
When Blue Hens guard Ebby Asamoah was in Greece during the summer playing with a touring college all-star team, he regularly communicated with Larts via email, sharing his experiences in video messages.
“It was great,” Asamoah said. “It’s always a joy to see him be happy when he’s around us. We just try to lift his spirits and really include him as part of our team.
“I feel like he’s almost like my little brother. It’s great to have someone who looks up to you and you try to teach him the right stuff.”
Carolyn heard about TEAM Impact at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where Eli’s medical team thought he might benefit from the program. TEAM Impact has also placed children with the Delaware volleyball and dance teams.
Sickle cell disease occurs when some red blood cells, which carry oxygen, are misshapen. These can impede circulation and cause considerable pain or a serious health crisis, such as a stroke.
Eli is particularly susceptible to temperature extremes, both cold and hot, and dehydration, said his mother, who also has sickle cell disease.
“I get stressed out when that happens,” said Eli, who plays basketball for a school team. “I get frustrated.”
But being with the Blue Hens is a welcomed respite and something he relishes, Eli added.
Watching the work the Blue Hens put in for classes and basketball, Carolyn said, has shown Eli the importance of focusing on and being serious about his schoolwork, which has improved.
“The guys come to him and say ‘You’ve got to get your work done,’” she said. “He’s starting to understand, ‘If they can do it, I can do it as well.’ ”
Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.
