UConn men’s basketball just signed its newest player, and even though he’s only 12 years old, his impact on the team is undeniable.
Elijah Randolph, a 12-year-old from Farmington, got the surprise of a lifetime on Wednesday.
“My goal this year is not to miss a game. That’s my goal,” Elijah said.
Eli suffers from a rare blood cancer called blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BDPCN).
Carl Randolph, Eli’s father, said he met the team while they were at the hospital.
“That just changed his life completely,” said Randolph said. “Now he’s a Husky kid. He watches every game.”
With the help of the nonprofit Team Impact, an organization connecting children with chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, Elijah became an official member of the team.
On top of that, he was presented a new championship chain from Dan Hurley.
Solo Ball said Eli is an inspiration to him.
“This kid fights every single day. And he doesn’t show it one bit,” said Ball. “And I think that’s what motivates me a little bit more.”
Tarris Reed Jr. said Eli’s energy is infectious.
“A guy like Eli, I love him to death. I love him,” said Reed. “That’s like my little brother.”
Eli was with the team when UConn won the national championship in 2024 in Arizona.
He said this year he hopes to go to all the games.
And after speaking with the players, they hope he does too.