Achievement First Linden Middle is turning its basketball court into a stage for remembrance next week.
Every dribble, whistle, and cheer will serve as a way to honor Dennen Acosta-Lopez, a student who lost his battle with leukemia but continues to inspire his community every day. On November 14–15, the school will host the First Annual Dennen Acosta-Lopez Memorial Classic, a basketball tournament celebrating his life, spirit, and lasting impact.
The two-day basketball tournament will feature four teams. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research, supporting ongoing efforts to fight childhood cancer.
For Athletic Director and Head Coach Merrill Davis, the event is deeply personal.
“I had Dennen as a student from sixth through eighth grade, and during that time, I found out he had leukemia,” Davis recalled. “There were times when he couldn’t participate or missed a lot of school. But when he was able to join in, he was all in — gung-ho, giving everything he had.”
Davis remembers Dennen as a student who embodied resilience and joy despite his illness.
“He wasn’t big in stature, but his personality was huge,” Davis said. “He had this bright smile, and when he wasn’t going through pain, you’d never know he was sick. He was just a breath of fresh air. Everybody loved him.”
The tournament will take place in the Linden Middle School campus, which opened just a year ago. The 42,000-square-foot, four-story building features a varsity-sized gymnasium, a dance room, science labs, and classrooms filled with natural light, creating a space that supports both academic and extracurricular excellence.
“This space is more than just a building; it’s a home where our students can thrive, learn, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow,” said Principal Stephanie Blieka at the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony last fall.
Dennen passed away while still in high school, but his legacy endures at Achievement First.
“This is just our second year having a basketball team at Linden, and I wanted this season — and hopefully every season after me — to carry his legacy forward,” said Davis.
“At Achievement First, we have a saying: when a colleague or our graduates move on, we call them our Forever Knights. The same goes for our Dennen. You may leave, but you’re never gone, never forgotten. He will always be one of our Forever Knight.”
To learn more about Achievement First’s supportive community of learning, click here.
