CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Lee University Athletics and the Lee University men's basketball team are mourning the loss of longtime Flame Noah Boler-Kyle, who was called home to Heaven July 10, 2026.

Boler-Kyle, age 25, was a six-year member of the Flames from 2019-2025 and a five-year starter on the court. On and off of the hardwood, Boler-Kyle impacted not only the lives of his teammates, coaches and support staff, but his impact reached the entire Lee University community.

Noah, affectionately called "Slim" due to his stature at 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, started and played a key role in the Flames' first-ever NCAA Division II Tournament victory in 2021. With Boler-Kyle in the program and on the floor, Lee was 110-53, good for a 68% winning percentage. But Boler-Kyle was not only a winner on the floor. He was even more off it.

"We were better as a basketball team and as a university when Noah was here, and when Noah was at his best," Flames men's basketball coach Bubba Smith said. "Noah spent almost a quarter of his life here. And I think the thing that, because Noah had such a natural ability and talent, when you look at him at times, you're like, he's a Division I player. He's not a Division II player. He's got Division I talent. But I think he needed, in some ways, Division II experience. And I think in some ways he needed the Lee experience. I think he needed this type of place where he could really build relationships that would be part of his life for a long time. That's everything from coaches down, and more importantly probably to the players, to people that he really began to connect with and began to really grow close to."

Boler-Kyle's six years made him the longest-tenured player of Smith's coaching career at Lee, which hit 10 years earlier this year. "You didn't think you'd have that much time with somebody, but the Lord gave us that time and he gave it to us for a reason. We're thankful for it," Smith said. "And I think what was on display at his service. It was really special to see that almost every player that he had played with, whether it was for one year or for six years, was there for him. Every coach or assistant coach that had him, whether it was one year or whatever, how much time they had with him, was there. That is because of who Noah was."

Noah loved Jesus and he lived like Jesus. After graduation in 2024 and his final year in 2025, Noah returned home to Alabama and attended Church of the Highlands. At his celebration of life service, his mother, Heather, spoke about Noah feeling the call to attend ministry school. His love for songwriting and music, with his basketball skill to boot, allowed him to showcase his giftings from the Lord.

On the court, Lee was really good when Boler-Kyle was really good. During his senior year in 2024, Boler-Kyle scored 27 points (on 11/12 shooting) and pulled down eight rebounds in a 74-72 win over Clafin. His brother, Giancarlo, scored the game winning layup.

Later in Boler-Kyle's sixth and final season for the Flames, he put together a gaudy statline of 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals in a Gulf South win over AUM. Those are just two examples of Noah's ability to impact games on the court. 

For his career, Noah scored 961 points on an uber-efficient 64 percent from the field and 37 percent from the three point line .

"We always felt like, even in our practice settings, when Noah wanted to be the best player on the floor, he could be the best player on the floor," Smith said. "When he wanted to be the best player on the floor, he was. And when he was having those days, our team was going to be really good. We knew that."

Beyond the counting stats, Smith talked about how Boler-Kyle impacted his teammates on the court and in the locker room. "He just had a joy about him at times, and a spirit about him,": Smith continued. "His energy was really infectious. When he had that energy, it permeated throughout the team, and people could feel it and sense it. When you think about family, you think about teams and team dynamics. There were some moments and times where his teammates needed Noah. There were some moments and times where I know Noah needed his teammates. I think they gave each other that in a kind of cool marriage and interaction over the time of his career. There were moments and times where he gave that to others. His teammates gave that to him and instilled belief in him."

Lee University president Dr. Phil Cook expressed a deep sense of gratitude for who Noah was as a person, and for his time at Lee. "Noah Boler-Kyle was the best of Lee University students," Cook stated. "He came to Lee to play basketball, but his experience was so much more than that. He represented his faith, family and Lee with humility and sincerity. I pray the Lord blesses our campus full of Noah Boler-Kyles in the future."

Director of Athletics John Maupin noted the impact Boler-Kyle had campus-wide, which was unique for a student-athlete. Whether in high school, college or the professional ranks, athletes who become stars can sometimes place themselves on pedestals or allow a barrier to form between themselves and other students. That wasn't Noah.

"I knew Noah to be that guy that wasn't defined by sports," Maupin said. "There were men's soccer players that were friends with Noah. There were men's golfers that were friends with Noah. Across the spectrum of Lee athletics, and across the spectrum of Lee as a whole, Noah invested in many people."

"I think back to my own interactions with him – there was never a time he'd be complaining, or down. He would always look for the good," Maupin said. "The way he loved music is another thing I'll remember about him. He loved to sing and dance, and be joyful. That's what I'll really remember about Noah."

Boler-Kyle was a Class of 2019 graduate from Decatur-Heritage Christian Academy in Decatur, Alabama. He was adopted by Tommy and Heather Kyle in 2015, gaining 10 siblings in the Kyle family as well as two siblings from his birth family.

Lee had a six-player class that year with Boler-Kyle included. Boler-Kyle started four of his six years alongside point guard Beyuan Hendricks, who clicked instantly.

"I still remember the first day me and Noah met, the first day of team camp. We instantly clicked," Hendricks said. "We'd play each other 1 on 1, and then we'd be singing and rapping songs together that night, staying in Medlin together. You would've thought we had known each other for years the way our friendship instantly came together. Being roommates with Noah my first two years, he became a brother to me and we did everything together. From playing 2k and FIFA against each other, to watching Kevin Hart videos while crying laughing and learning every single word."

On the court, the duo had unquestionable chemistry in an efficient pick-and-roll attack. "Noah was the perfect big man I could've asked for," said Hendricks. "He could shoot threes, catch lobs, block shots, pass well, etc. Noah didn't even realize how good he was. Off the court, I could tell Noah literally anything I was struggling with, and he would always listen. Noah was one of the only people in my life that I could truly be myself around, and he brought a side of me that I didn't really show in front of others. Noah was a ball of energy and happiness, and I am going to miss him so much."

Another teammate, and then coach, that Boler-Kyle came in with was Alex Kelehear, who played with Noah from 2019-2024 before coaching him as an assistant coach during the 2024-25 season.

"The first day in BOB it was evident how special of a human Noah was," Kelehear said. "He had a big smile and an even bigger personality than his 6'9 slender frame. For 5 years we got to walk through many seasons of life together. The highs, the lows, and everything that comes in between. Numerous late-night conversations, cookout runs, video game sessions, and endless laughs."

And through all of those memories on and off the court, Kelehear learned many things from his time in Cleveland. "Noah taught me what loving your neighbor really meant. A true gentle giant. He loved the people around him so well. Was always a constant in my life even after his playing days were over. I couldn't have asked for a better human to go through college with than Noah Boler-Kyle."

Noah Boler-Kyle was an amazing basketball player. But beyond sport, Boler-Kyle was a tremendous person, friend, teammate and classmate, and Noah was an integral part of the Lee University community.
His loss is immeasurable. His impact on our campus even more so. We will miss Noah, and we honor him every day in how we live our lives, how we play and coach our sports, and how we interact with one another.
Lee University will always love and remember "Slim."