In the spring of 2021, as Drew Weil neared graduation from Martin County High School in Stuart, the unthinkable happened. His best friend, Nik Lawrynas, died, likely due to complications from epilepsy.
“It felt like the world stopped,” Weil recalls. “We were supposed to graduate together. It didn’t feel real.”
The years that followed were filled with grief and growth. Weil’s mantra became “Do it for Nik,” a promise that carried him from his small town in Florida to the bright lights of Division I basketball, where he now serves as a graduate assistant for Florida State University. The position may not draw headlines, but it’s the same first step that launched coaching greats like Erik Spoelstra, Monty Williams and Billy Donovan.
For Weil, every milestone since 2021 has been guided by the memory of a friend who never stopped believing in him. His story isn’t just about career ambition. It’s about turning pain into purpose and friendship into fuel.
Weil and Lawrynas first met in middle school around 2016, bonding over sports, humor and a shared competitiveness that carried through every season. Both were upbeat, hardworking and pretty good friends from the moment they met.
“They always seemed to be together in the same group,” said classmate Ryan Schroeder. Another classmate, Kyle Wedgwood, said, “I remember always seeing them sit together every day at lunch through our three years of middle school.”
Their friendship deepened once they reached Martin County High. Nik’s father, Ben Lawrynas, was the school’s head football coach, and thye quickly became like family.
“Drew was a hard worker and a good kid,” said Ben Lawrynas. “They really pushed each other to get better.”
Off the field, their connection only grew stronger. Both developed an interest in sports announcing, volunteering to call games for Martin County High. From the press box, their voices filled the stadium, alternating between play-by-play and friendly banter.
“They had great chemistry,” said friend Connor McGlynn. “Everyone looked forward to hearing them.”
Nik, a die-hard Philadelphia 76ers fan, was also the one who introduced Drew to basketball.
“I wasn’t into basketball much when I was younger,” Weil said. “but Nik would talk about players, break down games, and before long, I became a fan.”
They spent hours watching sports highlights and playing football, basketball or baseball at the park with their group of high school friends. A lot of the time, their nights stretched long past sunset with their adrenaline kicking.
By their senior year, the two friends had become practically family. That spring, Nik even joined the Weils on a family trip to North Carolina. It was supposed to be a week of hiking, sightseeing, and escaping the pressure of senior year. But midway through the trip, Nik began feeling unwell.
“Something wasn’t right,” Weil recalled. “He was tired and kind of out of it, so my parents decided to stop by a hospital just to make sure everything was okay.”
Doctors ran tests, but nothing serious was found. Nik was discharged, and the group continued their trip, unaware of what was to come.
“Looking back, it’s hard not to wonder,” Weil said. “We just didn’t know.”
Just weeks later, as graduation approached, tragedy struck. Nik passed away unexpectedly.
“I remember getting the call,” Weil said. “It didn’t make sense. We were supposed to walk the stage together, go off to college. It shattered me.”
The days that followed were a blur of grief, family visits, and community support. Weil spoke at Nik’s funeral, his voice shaking as he promised to carry his friend’s spirit with him wherever he went. That moment, he says, changed everything.
After graduation, Weil moved to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University, majoring in sports management. The adjustment wasn’t easy. He was hundreds of miles from home, trying to make new friends while still mourning a loss that never fully faded.
“There were times I felt alone,” he said. “But I’d think about Nik. He’d tell me to keep going, to stay focused. That’s what got me through those first few months.”
Weil joined Duquesne’s men’s basketball team as a student manager under head coach Keith Dambrot, who had once coached LeBron James in high school. He quickly found that his dedication to every small task, setting up drills, managing equipment, cutting film, earned respect from players and staff alike.
As Duquesne rebuilt its program, Weil’s persistence mirrored the team’s resurgence. After a 6–24 season, the Dukes surged to 22 wins, then 25 the following year, earning their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1969. Weil’s quiet leadership was recognized when he was promoted to Head Student Manager in 2024 and honored by the school’s athletics department.
“He’s always been that person who makes people better,” said longtime friend Niko Bibizas.
This fall, Weil took his next big step, joining Florida State University’s men’s basketball program as a graduate assistant under head coach Luke Loucks, a former Golden State Warriors assistant. His responsibilities now range from film breakdown and player development to recruiting logistics and day-to-day operations.
“It’s not glamorous,” Weil said, “but I love it. Every day, I get to learn and grow. And every time I walk into the gym, I think about Nik.” He said. “It reminds me why I started. Nik didn’t get to chase his dreams, so I’m chasing mine for both of us.”
