“He’s lived by himself before,” Sydney said. “There were ants everywhere.”
By day, Sydney runs the Sydney & Nolan Smith Foundation — an organization dedicated to supporting youths who have lost a loved one. Last month, the siblings joined forces with the American Heart Association and gave a talk at Felida Elementary School in Vancouver, where the focus was to raise awareness about heart disease.
By night, she helps scout new dining locations or talks hoops with little bro.
No, she didn’t play herself — she was a high school tennis star who burned out on the sport before attending Louisville. But she has seen enough games, and knows Nolan well enough, that she can do more than just comfort him after an undesirable performance.
“Our conversations are honest. He knows that with me, he’s not going to get someone who tells him what he wants to hear,” Sydney said. “Sometimes, if he needs rest, I’m going to make sure he gets off Skype and goes to sleep. He’s told me before that I act like a coach with him.”
And sometimes, Nolan acts like a dad with her.
To this point, Nolan has given nothing but rave reviews regarding his living arrangement, and believes he and Sydney will remain problem-free “as long as she doesn’t bring any men over.”
