Colorado Buffaloes starting center, Evan Battey, has been making a difference on the court and turning heads, even being noticed by the legendary Charles Barkley. You wouldn’t imagine that just a few years ago at the age of 19, this highly athletic and healthy young man was suddenly hospitalized–unable to speak or walk–after suffering a stroke.

While playing basketball with friends on the day after Christmas in 2017, Evan noticed that he couldn’t feel the ball while dribbling. Unable to speak or explain to his friends what he was experiencing, his friends called his mother, who sprung into action to take him to the emergency room. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Evan couldn’t walk on his own. Hearing doctors say the word “stroke”, knowing it could cause permanent damage or even death, he was fearful of the worst. After 4 days in the hospital and an array of tests, Evan was released to go home.

After taking some time to recover, Evan returned to play basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes, continuing to distinguish himself as an outstanding and influential player. He has received numerous resilience, character and inspiration awards, but being such a humble and genuine person, he’d be happy to be seen as an ordinary student and teammate.

“What I’ve been through allowed me to have a different perspective on life, and it allowed me to portray that perspective to my teammates, and to the game and to the fans.”

His mother and #1 fan, aerospace engineer Rosalind Lewis joined Evan to discuss this incredible story and the powerful life lessons that surround it with Les and Vic.

Les also spoke with Dr. Michelle Leppert, Professor of Neurology of University of Colorado School of Medicine, specialist in vascular neurology, the brain, the nervous system and strokes. Dr. Leppert weighed in on Evan’s exceptional story and shared plenty of eye-opening information on strokes that everyone should know. #UnstoppablePodcasts