In November of his senior year, Brody Kozlowski, one of Utah’s top high school basketball stars, faced a life-altering event that changed his perspective on the game and life itself. A severe car accident left him lying in pain on Draper’s East 700 Highway, his shoulder injured, and his future uncertain.
At the time, Kozlowski, who had a scholarship offer from USC, feared that his basketball career might be over. “I thought basketball was gone,” he recalled, as his mind raced between the pain, his upcoming school exams, and the worry of breaking the news to his parents. Little did he know, the events that followed would not only lead him to recovery but also redirect him to a new path—at Brigham Young University (BYU).
The night of the accident seemed ordinary at first. Kozlowski had just finished a practice at Corner Canyon High School, his father Travis was watching his younger brother play basketball, and his mother Kristin was preparing to commentate a BYU basketball game. Everything changed when Travis received a phone call from a stranger, informing him that his son had been in an accident.
Rushing to the emergency room, the Kozlowski family was faced with uncertainty. Fortunately, Brody survived, but his recovery was grueling. He began a tough physical rehabilitation process, all while watching his team struggle without him on the court. “It was really hard and depressing,” Brody admitted.
His mother, Kristin, reflected on how the accident challenged Brody’s identity. “So much of who he was was tied to basketball,” she said. “And when that was taken away, it was painful—physically and mentally.”
Brody’s perseverance paid off when, two and a half months later, doctors cleared him to return to the court, despite his collarbone not being fully healed. On January 19, in his first game back against Copper Hills, Kozlowski battled nerves and a still-fragile shoulder. Although rusty, he scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, helping his team to a 68-47 victory.
Kozlowski’s return sparked a turnaround for Corner Canyon, leading the team to 12 consecutive wins and a spot in the 6A state championship game, where they eventually lost. Despite the setback, Brody was named Utah’s 6A Player of the Year again.
Now, at BYU, Kozlowski is settling into college life. Reflecting on the accident, he says, “It taught me to appreciate every moment and be grateful for everything I have.” His journey is far from over, but he now carries a new perspective—along with the physical reminder of a steel plate and screws in his shoulder—of how quickly life can change.
