For Guard and His Fan, Strength in a Number

"Everything was just, you know, instant chemistry between me and Max," Flowers said. "I think that's something special when you first meet somebody but you feel like you've know them for quite a long time."

Before it was time to go, Max gave Flowers one of his No. 22 jerseys. Angela Kier, Flowers's mother, said her son, who took a two-week leave of absence just before the season for personal reasons, started taking back control of his life the night he met Max.

"I consider Max a guardian angel for Michael," Kier said. "For Max to come into Michael's life has helped him, and because it's helped Michael, it's helped the family. He was going through a lot, and it affected everybody because we're such a close family."

Kier said that six months ago she wouldn't have felt right burdening her son with her problems, but now, she finds herself going to Flowers for guidance and comfort.

During a nationally televised game against Indiana in Madison on Jan. 31, television cameras panned to Flowers just after Coach Bo Ryan had pulled him out of the game.

"There was Michael, beaming, huge smile," said Ted Flowers, who was watching from Houston. "My sister said she hadn't seen Michael smile like that in a long time."

Michael Flowers's coaches have noticed a difference in the senior guard, as well. Assistant coach Greg Gard said Flowers has always been a soft-spoken person whose self-assurance would often wane.

"One of the things that helped his confidence as much as anything on the floor was him realizing the impact he can have on other people and how much people look up to these guys as role models," Gard said. "I think that was huge for Mike, to get a firsthand affirmation the type of impact he can have."

* * *

Max's past 2 treatments have gone smoothly. His next appt. is this Friday (Dec. 21) and he is due for a spinal tap so it will be a long day. We have to go in around 10 am, but the spinal tap itself will not happen until noon, so that means no eating until like 1:30. The past few times, Adam has gotten up with Max in the middle of the night to feed him and that seems to help.

Dec. 17, 2007, online journal

post by Jamie Bass

The morning after his most recent spinal tap, the first thing Max wanted to do was watch the replay of the Badgers' first-round win over Cal State Fullerton. After that, he watched the tape from Wisconsin's win over Penn State that clinched a share of the Big Ten regular season title.

The doctors have told the Bass family that Max is doing so well, he might be able to stop his treatments altogether in May. At that point, they'll find out whether Max was being kept healthy by his own body or by the medication.

"That's the real challenge," Adam said.

The Basses have kept in contact with Michael and his family since meeting in December. Adam said he regularly exchanges e-mails with Michael, Ted and Angela.

In February, the Basses traveled to Madison to watch the Badgers take on Minnesota. Wisconsin won, improving to 2-0 with Max in attendance. After the game, Max got to go into the Badgers' locker room. Michael Flowers introduced Max to the players and coaches. Then the team included Max in a huddle that ended with, "One, two, three, Badgers!"

"Max talks about that to this day like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened to him," Adam said.

Friday, the third-seeded Badgers will take on 10th-seeded Davidson in the Midwest Region semifinals in Detroit. Adam said the Basses have every intention of attending that game, provided they can find tickets.

Michael Flowers's eyes light up when he talks about the possibility of seeing Max again. He said he never imagined a basketball player could have such an impact on a 5-year-old boy who lives half a continent away. He said he is now more conscious of how he presents himself in public.

"It came at the right time for Michael and maybe at the right time for Max, too," Kier said. "I don't know how much of an effect Michael has had on Max. You know, he's been that strength for Max in some ways, but Max has been way more of a strength for Michael than I could ever ask for."