Braylon's Bond: A Young Fan's Impact on N.C. State Wolfpack

0:00In Durham, it's March 17th. Here's what is happening. Five-year-old Braylon Collins shares a special bond with NC State Women's basketball star Camille Pierre and the entire Wolfpack team. What started as a chance meeting after a home game has turned into a heartwarming friendship full of hugs, laughs, and team support. The family holds season tickets and rarely misses a chance to cheer them on. They first connected back in November when Pierre scooped him up for a big hug and let him hang out on the bench before tip-off. Recently, after a win over Wake Forest on February 26th, they swapped small gifts like a hand-made card, photo collage, jelly beans, a video, game, and a stuffed Pikachu all while keeping things within the rules. This little guy has made a real difference for Pierre, who transferred from Vanderbilt and faced some tough mental health moments early in the season. Seeing Braylon's joy around the team reminded her that basketball is about more than just the court, helping her find peace and push forward.

1:00The rest of the squad has jumped in, too, with players like Sonia Rivers, Aziaja James, and others treating him like a little brother, circling up. After games for fun chats and goofy moments, his grandparents, longtime fans, say it shows the human side of college athletes beyond the spotlight. Through it all, Braylon is picking up big life lessons on hard work, handling losses, and spreading kindness. His family credits the program for changing their view, and they've already renewed tickets for next season, calling it the best deal at NC State. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.com