Evangel basketball team 'adopts' 14-year-old

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Evangel University's men basketball team has a member who never takes a shot during a game but is still important to the team's success.

Three years ago, the team unofficially adopted Christopher Banks, a basketball super fan who was battling a brain tumor.

Although the brain tumor turned out to be benign, 14-year-old Christopher is still on the sidelines and at practice, joining the huddles, jogging to the locker room at halftime and sitting on the bench.

Some unsettling symptoms recently re-emerged and Christopher is scheduled to return to a hospital in Memphis in February for testing.

The Springfield News-Leader reports (http://sgfnow.co/14rQEzd ) the team's players say Christopher inspires them and gives them energy. And being with the team gives Christopher a chance to escape from continuing health concerns.