Ex-UC Riverside standout Kyle Owens is ‘looking for somebody to save my life.’ Currently, he finds himself in a hospital bed at City of Hope, facing the harsh reality of cancer and its complications. This marks a dramatic shift for the 24-year-old, whose journey as a promising athlete has been abruptly interrupted.
Just seven months ago, Owens was a towering 6-foot-8 forward for the UC Riverside men’s basketball team, thriving as a team captain. His coach frequently highlighted him to recruits as a model role player. A memorable moment came last February, when Owens sank a buzzer-beater against Cal State Bakersfield, earning a spot on “SportsCenter.”
However, behind the scenes, Owens struggled with persistent fatigue, night sweats, and chills after games and practices. His athletic trainer’s concern led him to the emergency room last March, where he received the life-altering diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia just hours before his Senior Night.
Now, Owens is in urgent need of a bone-marrow transplant. His family is actively encouraging individuals aged 18-40 to participate in a cheek swab test to determine if they are a match. “I’m just looking for someone to save my life and help me live a happy, healthy life,” he expressed.
The likelihood of finding a match on the National Marrow Donor Program registry varies by ethnicity. According to the NMDP, Black or African Americans have a 29% chance of finding a match, while Caucasians have a significantly higher chance of 79%. Interested individuals can register to join the donor program or text DoITforKO to 61474.
Keith Owens, Kyle’s father and a former UCLA basketball player who had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighted misconceptions surrounding the donation process. “The blood stem cell transplant is what’s being done,” he clarified. “To see if you’re a match, it’s just a cheek swab, which is less invasive than a COVID test. If you do donate, it’s simply a blood draw to collect the necessary cells.”
Friends and family of Owens are mobilizing to organize donor drives on college campuses. Recently, one was held at Cal Lutheran University, followed by another at UC Riverside, where Owens’ former coaches and teammates showed their support.
“All 15 guys were out there with signs,” noted UC Riverside men’s basketball coach Mike Magpayo. “Our school set a record with 120 new registrants for swabs, totaling over 200 for the day. They worked hard to reach that goal in just three hours.”
Since his diagnosis, Owens has faced numerous challenges, including discovering a tumor near his spine that affected his mobility. After undergoing radiation and steroid treatments, he has made significant progress and can now walk with assistance.
His determination shines through in every interaction. Remarkably, just hours after learning of his cancer diagnosis, he insisted on participating in Senior Night, despite needing to be substituted out shortly after. At that point, only his immediate support team was aware of his condition, as he did not want to distract his teammates during a crucial moment in their season.
His absence from the following game raised concerns among teammates, prompting Coach Magpayo to inform them of Owens’ situation after their victory against UC Santa Barbara.
Those who know Owens describe him as a vibrant presence, someone who brings joy to those around him. His best friend and former roommate, Nate Pickens, expressed how deeply the news affected him. “Hearing about it broke me,” Pickens shared, characterizing Owens as “selfless,” “caring,” and “welcoming.” He added, “He’s the kind of person everyone wants in their life.”
Despite his diagnosis, Owens completed his master’s degree in business management from UC Riverside while undergoing chemotherapy. As a fifth-year senior, he averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds during his final season.
Looking ahead, he remains hopeful. “If you are a match, all it takes is a little blood,” he said. “The process isn’t complicated for the donor. My biggest goal is simply to live a long, happy, and healthy life.”
