“My personality is big; I just like to have fun! Positive vibes,” he said.

The only thing larger than his personality? His plans for life.

“I really want to have my hands in a little bit of everything from real estate to stock market to crypto currency or owning or investing in other businesses.”

Kahlel is also an avid sports fan. In high school, he planned on making it big on the football field.

“I think if I would have played my senior year, I would have played football in college and maybe the opportunity at the NFL,” he said. “To not have that opportunity, it still takes a toll on me.”

It was during his junior year of football when Khalel first noticed a growth.

A few months later during wrestling season, he says it started getting bigger. His appetite shrunk; his weight plummeted. By January he had lost so much weight, close to 40 pounds, that he had to quit wrestling and tell his parents he needed to see a doctor.

Kahlel was diagnosed with lymphoma. His goal of playing college football was over.

“I couldn’t take five steps without getting tired or I needed a cane to walk,” he said. “That was the first day I really broke down and cried and thought man I’m really sick, I’m really going through it.”

Despite the realization his life was changing, Kahlel never gave up hope nor let that big personality shrink.

“I would try to make it like a party every day. I would have friends come up – good energy. When the nurses would come in - make funny jokes.”

It was at the hospital, undergoing treatment, when Kahlel was introduced to Make-A-Wish.

When it came time to grant Kahlel’s wish, he knew he wanted to meet his favorite WNBA player since middle school -- Seattle Storm superstar Breanna Stewart.

“When we first got to the stadium I was like, this is about to get crazy! I’m going to meet Breanna Stewart. Then when I saw her, I was so excited, I just started naming off all her accomplishments,” he said.

Young says his idol was just a regular person who talked like a normal person. He adds she was also funny.

After the meet-and-greet, his wish day rounded out with tickets to watch a game from the best seats in the house in a private suite and a backstage tour of Angel of the Winds Arena.

Now, 22 Kahlel says meeting Stewart and fellow WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins has been an inspiration to him.

"You get to see people living their dream out there on the basketball court, doing things for their community, doing things for their family."

Kahlel says his wish has gone beyond just inspiring him. The connections alone he’s made have become like family.

“Teresa, Lou and Ken, [my wish-granting volunteers] they will check up on me just to see if I am OK. Sometimes if I just need to just talk about life, they’re all ears. Even now they will text or email me just to say, hey. I needed that,” he said.

He hopes others will reach out and volunteer and help other inspire other kids like himself to keep shooting for their goals. In fact, he plans to become a wish-granting volunteer himself!

“I think Make-A-Wish can really bring that light to all the Make-A-Wish kids and build relationships that will last forever, especially the times when it gets hard. They’re always there.”

As for Breanna Stewart, Kahlel says he’s ready for a game of one-on-one with her any time.

“I may be 5-7 but I’m 5-8 with any pair of shoes on… no she’d probably beat me 11-0.”

Special thanks to The Seattle Storm, Breanna Steward, wish-granting volunteers Lou Cutler, Ken Kieffer and Teresa Purdue. And, a special thanks to all the people who make wishes like Khalel’s possible with their donations of cash, in-kind goods and services and frequent flier miles.