Over the past two weeks, I've had the opportunity to speak to member schools from the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA) and educators from California, Nevada, and Arizona as part of the All Workers Conference. The talks included my Performance Blueprint model, Mental Performance 101, and the Present Performer. The response to incorporating mental performance into the academic setting was nothing short of enthusiastic. If you or your team are interested in learning more, I would be happy to share these concepts with you.

Money Williams graduated from Oakland (CA) High School in 2023. He averaged 17.4 points in his senior year and led the school to its first-ever state championship. Like any basketball talent, he looked forward to competing at the Division I level, with an eye on reaching the NBA. As a freshman, the dream seemed well on its way as he appeared in the first 11 games and earned multiple starts for the University of Montana. On November 23rd, 2023, however, he learned that his father had passed away. Just three days later, he would honor his dad in a game against San Jose State by tallying 21 points and nine rebounds. "Where I'm from, we don't get a lot and we have to work really hard for what we want," he told reporters after the win. "I just want to show the kids that you can do it, wherever you're from you can do it." He was on pace to have the second-best scoring season by a freshman in Griz history, averaging 13.4 points a game, before his season was cut short by a serious foot injury.

Fully healed, Williams was predicted to be a leading contributor to a Griz squad picked to win the Big Sky Conference, but on October 12th, he learned that his mother had passed away, as well. Money and his sister Mo'Ney were left as the guardians of their three younger siblings. Williams left Montana while facing the prospect of leaving school to care for his brothers and sister. Financial support from a GoFundMe allowed him to return to Montana, where he has started all nine games, averaging 13.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Playing through incredible loss and grief, Williams is driven by the memory of his mother encouraging him to always pursue his goals. You can't help but be inspired by his focus, dedication, and determination. Williams' story is now drawing support from opposing fans. After he scored 30 points at Tennessee and 25 at Utah State, Vol and Aggie fans took to his cause, raising tens of thousands of dollars and boosting the GoFundMe to over $140,000 as of 12/4/24. I would encourage you to join his fan base this season, too.

  

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