• GoFundMe for Coen | More on Coen | Info on Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors

At the recent OVC Basketball Media Day, Tennessee Tech head men's basketball coach John Pelphrey was sporting a pair of black and white Air Jordans with his nice suit.

He was doing it to raise awareness for a rare form of cancer that is currently affecting his nephew, Coen Brown. Coen currently has Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors, which is so rare, there are only 20 cases a year worldwide (200 total since 1989).

The cancer is typically diagnosed in younger people (especially males between the ages of 10 and 20) and impacts the bones and connective tissue around the bones

Coen, who is 19 years old and a standout combo guard in high school at Sacred Heart, first felt pain in his foot in late 2021 but attributed it to sports-related injuries. Over the summer the pain and discomfort increased until he was finally diagnosed in August.

Coen is currently on Week 10 of a 54-week aggressive treatment plan which includes certain weeks with a one-day nine-hour treatment and other weeks with a five-day 30-minute treatment.  Coen's treatments take place in St. Louis, three hours from the family's home in Sedalia.

Coach Pelphrey is hoping to raise further awareness in the areas of research of pre-diagnosis, treatment and quality of life remains at the forefront as the Cancer is aggressive and often leaves medical professionals with limited care options.