UConn men's basketball senior Rodney Purvis is making a uniform number change to pay tribute to a close family friend who recently passed away.

Purvis will wear No. 15 instead of his usual 44 this season in honor of Tyrek Coger, an Oklahoma State player who died on July 21 after a team workout.

They formed a tight bond while growing up in Raleigh, N.C., and Purvis considered Coger a brother.

Coger lived with the Purvis family for a period of time. Rodney's mother, Shanda McNair was Coger's godmother.

UConn plays Oklahoma State this season in its opening game in the Maui Invitational Nov. 21 in Hawaii.