Sports

Brown University Recruits 7-Year-Old Basketball Player

November 14, 2018 / 3:37 PM EST / CBS Detroit

click to expand

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A 7-year-old boy is the newest recruit to the Brown University men's basketball team.

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 27: Tyler Williams #22 of the Brown Bears brings the ball up the court against the Austin Peay Governors during the 2014 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 27, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Austin Peay won 79-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Christian Berardi, of North Providence, officially signed his "letter of intent" with the Brown Bears on Tuesday. Berardi has an immune disease called eosinophilic esophagitis, and he met the team through the nonprofit organization Team Impact.

Berardi is welcome to attend all games and practices, and he went trick-or-treating with the players on Halloween.

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mike Martin of the Brown Bears signals his players as they take on the Austin Peay Governors during the 2014 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 27, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

His mother says all the doctor's visits are a little less scary for Berardi now that he knows the team is cheering him on.

Berardi took a photo with the players and attended practice Tuesday as the Bears planned for their Friday game against the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 27: Steven Spieth #3 of the Brown Bears passes against the Austin Peay Governors during the 2014 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 27, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Austin Peay won 79-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

He says UMass "better watch out."