{"id":8552,"date":"2025-07-28T12:48:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T16:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/?p=8552"},"modified":"2025-07-28T12:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T16:48:12","slug":"friendship-series-evan-graham-dallas-baptist-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-evan-graham-dallas-baptist-basketball\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendship Series: Evan & Graham, Dallas Baptist Basketball\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some friendships are built over time. Others form in an instant and grow stronger with every shared moment. That\u2019s exactly how it\u2019s been for Evan and Graham. When Evan joined the Dallas Baptist University basketball team in August 2024, he became part of a family. And at the heart of that connection has been Graham Kroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graham is the team leader. With an unmatched sense of purpose, kindness, and quiet strength, Graham has earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike. He leads not only with heart but with humility\u2014both on and off the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But it\u2019s his role in Evan\u2019s life that tells the full story of who Graham truly is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the moment Evan and his family joined the Patriots, Graham made it personal. He reached out, built a genuine connection with Evan, and made sure Evan always felt included. Whether he was writing Evan a heartfelt card before his heart procedure, cheering him on during recovery, or welcoming Evan\u2019s entire family into team traditions, Graham always went above and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most unforgettable moments came after the team won the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship. As the team celebrated by cutting down the net, Graham\u2014celebrating his final season\u2014chose not to make the moment about himself. Instead, he invited Evan to join him and cut down a piece of the net together. That moment symbolized exactly what this journey has been about: inclusion, celebration, and shared joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Graham is not only a standout teammate and a leader with integrity but also a source of strength for Evan and his entire family. \u201cGraham represents the heart of what Team IMPACT is all about<\/strong>,\u201d Evan\u2019s family shared. \u201cWe\u2019ve celebrated and cheered for him, and he\u2019s welcomed us with open arms. That bond means the world to us.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Evan continues to grow in confidence and strength, Graham continues to be there, reminding him he belongs, he matters, and he\u2019s part of something bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For everything he\u2019s done\u2014on the court, in the classroom, and in Evan\u2019s life\u2014it\u2019s no surprise that Evan\u2019s family nominated Graham for Team IMPACT\u2019s Teammate of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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