On Saturday, January 24, the Husker basketball boys hosted Michigan State in the Big Ten matchup. That day was not only a special day for the Huskers, but also for 7 year-old, Avery Harriman. Avery is the son to Chris, the assistant basketball coach for Nebraska, and Cheryl Harriman.

Avery was diagnosed with Leukemia in April 2009, when he was only 2 years old. His second diagnosis was in October of 2012. Only a few months after his dad took the job with Nebraska. Avery’s third diagnosis was on July 30, 2014 when Avery had to spend a month at the hospital receiving extremely intense chemotherapy. Avery was released in late-August to go home until his second bone marrow transplant in two years. His transplant was on September 26 and it went extremely well. They left the hospital only 17 days after the transplant. Even though the transplant went well, his next biopsy results still showed leukemia. Avery’s medication has now been working and his last two biopsies have been clear from leukemia.

On the Saturday of the game Avery did not feel the best but it was his day to shine. As the crowd cheered for the team they also wore #Averystrong gold shirts. The Huskers took the win and Avery had a wonderful day. He got to celebrate in the locker room with the team and two husker cheerleaders asked for a picture with Avery. Avery’s mom, Cheryl said “I never in my wildest dreams thought that there would be that much gold at a Husker event”.