“I’m very proud, and for the team and for myself that, like, everyone’s made it this far and it’s just amazing,” Jace said.
HOUSTON — Houston is pumped about the Coogs’ run to the National Championship, but there’s one kid who’s probably the most excited of all.
Jace Abarca, 12, told KHOU 11 about how Houston and coach Kelvin Sampson, a team that’s been known to battle all season and not give their opponents the ball, was happy to give him the ball as their lead ball boy and the impact it’s made on his life.
At the center of the Cougars’ open practice before they took down Duke at the Alamodome in the Final Four, Jace was closer to the action than most could ever dream of.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe the Houston Cougars made it this far,” Jace said.
Jace lives with a kidney condition and lupus. In 2022, Team Impact matched Jace with the University of Houston Men’s Basketball Team, where he’s consistently served as the team’s lead ball boy.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It makes me feel very included, it makes me happy.”
Some of Jace’s closest relationships are with coach Sampson and guard Emmanuel Sharp.
“The team is the brothers and Kelvin Sampson is like the grandpa, and it just feels like they bring good vibes and it feels like a family,” Jace said.
Jace’s relationship with the battle-tested Coogs is something he said has helped him in his own fight.
“I’m very proud, and for the team and for myself that, like, everyone’s made it this far and it’s just amazing,” Jace said.
KHOU 11 spoke with Jace last year ahead of the Sweet 16. He had hoped Houston could get it done, but it didn’t work out that way in 2024. But this year, the Coogs have punched their ticket to the National Championship.
Jace continues to live with that kidney condition, called nephrotic syndrome, but he’s currently in remission and is ready to cheer on his team.