Michael Willis, Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at Centennial Academy Charter School, was just honored by the Atlanta Hawks.
Coach Willis is a friend of the Moote, Kimmie, and Otis show and we talked with him a few months ago about his squad at Centennial Academy, who won an APS Championship. What was so special about the accomplishment, was the fact that the team doesn't even have their own basketball gym. They were practicing mostly on a half court at a local YMCA. Coach Willis found a way to lead his squad of mix-n-match players to the ultimate victory and even more so, prove to them it was about the heart and drive of the team, not the elite facilities.
Willis was just honored over the holiday by the Atlanta Hawks for his dedication on and off the court with youth. Willis has the highest population of homeless youth in his school district and dedicates a lot of his time helping kids and families have the necessary supplies and clothing to live. he told WSB, “To have a roof over your head, to have the academics. You need that before you need athletics. That’s your home spot. That’s what you need first."
The Hawks awarded the Coach the honor of "Jr. NBA Coach Of The Year" during halftime of a recent game and gave him a jersey, a trophy, and a great big ring to match the one he received winning the recent Championship title.
We're going to have Coach Willis back on the show very soon to talk about his mission and latest accomplishment. He's truly and inspiring person and is leading so many young men to bigger and better things in life beyond basketball.
I've had several coaches in football that I can credit for helping shape the man that I am and giving me the tools and drive to succeed! We're honored to call you a friend Coach!
Listen to how it all went down with the Atlanta Hawks and Coach Willis mission for his players:
Photo: iHeart Media Atlanta