A decade after overcoming a rare and life-threatening brain cancer diagnosis, 10-year-old Ryan Romaine Rafiq Rasul is once again defying the odds—not in a hospital room, but on the hardwood and in hearts across the country.
Now a finalist in the Youth Athlete of the Year competition, Ryan is vying for a $25,000 grand prize, a feature in Sports Illustrated, and national recognition for his athletic and humanitarian accomplishments. Voting to determine the Top 20 in his group closes Thursday, August 7, at 7 p.m. PDT.
But for Ryan and his father, Harold Rasul, a former Saint Joseph’s University men’s basketball player and longtime coach, the competition is about more than accolades. “This journey has made him empathetic, brave, and hardworking,” Harold shared in a previously published profile. “That is what makes me the proudest.”
Ryan’s resilience began early. Diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at just 2 years old, he endured three surgeries before he even started school. Remarkably, he clutched a basketball through every hospital visit, finding strength in the game that would become a lifelong passion and a tool for service.
In 2023, Ryan and his father co-founded Little Hands, a youth basketball program aimed at teaching children coordination, teamwork, and discipline. “We created a program that gives kids a chance to build habits that can change their lives,” Harold said. “Ryan is the heart of it.”
That same year, NBC Nightly News featured Ryan’s story, praising the boy who once fought cancer and now fights for others. “Basketball helped me heal and grow,” Ryan told NBC. “Now I want to help other kids feel strong and confident too.”
The Youth Athlete of the Year contest, presented in partnership with 3BRAND—the fashion and performance line founded by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson—benefits the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Why Not You Foundation, also co-founded by Wilson to inspire youth through education and health initiatives. Donors can cast tax-deductible votes, where $25 equals 25 votes, directly supporting these causes while propelling Ryan toward the national title.
“In a world where most kids want instant gratification, Ryan is unique because he loves the process that produces success,” Harold noted. “He puts in the hours, makes the sacrifices, and stays committed because he knows that’s what it takes.”
Ryan’s favorite athlete, NBA star Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards, inspired another powerful lesson. “We watched a game where Ant-Man played against Kevin Durant, his idol,” Ryan recalled in a Black Enterprise interview. “He still played to win. That showed me you can respect someone and still go all out. That made me want to work harder.”
Ryan’s love of basketball—and life—resonates far beyond the court. His story is not just one of recovery, but of revival, service, and community impact. With Harold by his side, Ryan continues to inspire young athletes nationwide to be more than players—to be leaders.
TO VOTE FOR RYAN: Cast your free daily vote or vote by donation at colossal.org to support the V Foundation and Why Not You Foundation. Every dollar helps fund critical cancer research and youth empowerment initiatives—and brings Ryan closer to becoming Youth Athlete of the Year. Voting ends for the Top 20 on Thursday, August. 7 at 7 p.m. PDT.
Something’s wrong with you if you aren’t inspired by a story like this!!!!