ALL FOR 22: Nijal Pearson plays for late brother’s memory, leads Bobcats to success

Twenty-two is Nijal Pearson’s why. 

Every time Texas State’s junior guard dons his No. 22 jersey, he’s not only playing for himself but also his brother, Nicholas “Nico” Pearson, who wore the same number when he played for Beaumont West Brook High School. His oldest brother taught him everything, from the way he walks to the way he talks and smiles. Nico wasn’t just Nijal’s brother but also his best friend and a father figure. 

Losing Nico to testicular cancer on Oct. 28, 2010 still weighs heavy on him.