BALTIMORE, MD – Johns Hopkins men's basketball coach Ryan Cain and his 2024-25 team officially welcomed the newest member of the Blue Jay family, Darius Randall, at a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon. Randall, the first signee with the Johns Hopkins men's basketball program through its partnership with Team IMPACT, was first matched with the team at the beginning of the Fall semester.
 
"We couldn't be more excited to officially welcome Darius to the Hopkins men's basketball program," said Cain. "Darius is a perfect addition to our team. He lights up the room and has overcome tremendous adversity. We look forward to spending more time with Darius and his family now that they are officially Blue Jays!"
 
Randall is a 13-year-old from Middle River, MD and was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD). VSD is a heart condition that separates the heart's two lower chambers. He also manages Tourette's Syndrome and ADHD. In 2023, Randall was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart condition in which the heart muscle thickens, making it harder to pump blood. His HCM prevented him from playing competitive sports, but with the help of recent advancements and close monitoring from his cardiologist, he's been able to get back on the court for the first time this year.
 
Randall officially signed on with Cain's Blue Jays at a special ceremony prior to the Johns Hopkins-Christopher Newport game on Wednesday, January 8. He was joined at the ceremony by his mom Leann, stepdad Corey, and the Johns Hopkins men's basketball team.
 
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT is the only U.S. nonprofit that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. The two-year therapeutic program complements a child's medical treatments, allowing the child to develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
 
Through participation in Team IMPACT's clinically informed program, children experience a true sense of belonging, resulting in increased empowerment, normalization, health promotion, and resilience. Families feel connected and supported as their child achieves individualized goals, while experiencing the joy of team camaraderie and inclusion; and student athletes gain perspective and inspiration, as well as lessons in adversity and resilience.
 
Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 800+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 80,000 student athletes.
 
Learn more at: www.teamimpact.org.