8-year-old boy who befriended Stephen Curry dies after cancer fight

INDIANAPOLIS -- An 8-year-old Indiana boy who garnered friendships with his basketball and football heroes has died after a years-long fight with leukemia.

Brody Stephens' father told the Indianapolis Starthat his son died Saturday of a viral complication.

Brody was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as an infant. He fought it off, but cancer returned in 2015.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr took to Twitter after hearing of Brody's passing.

As he underwent repeated hospitalizations and a bone marrow transplant, Brody was visited by his heroes, including Golden State's Stephen Curry and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, tight end Jack Doyle and coach Chuck Pagano.

Golden State flew Brody to California last month so he could serve as ball boy and attend the team's shootaround and Coach Steve Kerr's pregame press conference.

Brody's father, Jason Stephens, said his son was a "very special kid that inspired everyone that knew him."