Nigel Wilson, a sophomore center from the SoCal Regional Finalist Pasadena City College men's basketball team, received the March CalHOPE Courage Award, which honors student-athletes at California colleges and universities who have overcome the stress, anxiety, and mental trauma associated with personal hardships and adversity.
Wilson was honored as well as University of Pacific softball pitcher Amiyah Amonte.
CalHOPE is a multi-level campaign run by the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) to connect people with vital mental health and wellness resources and information to help them find their way during difficult times. CalHOPE offers critical behavioral health crisis counseling programs and uses a public health approach that is focused on strength-based strategies of building resiliency and connecting people to the support they need.
Wilson officially received his award in a short on-court ceremony during the Los Angeles Clippers-Bulls game on Monday.
Wilson's journey began when he first enrolled at MiraCosta College for the 2020-2021 academic year. A succesful talent from Catalina Foothills High in Tucson, Arizona, he immediately dealt with issues tied into the COVID-19 pandemic.
The combination of being far away from home for the first time, several serious COVID-related family illnesses, the inability to connect with people in person, and a foot injury that kept him off the court put a strain on his mental health. He struggled with depression, but by opening up to his athletic counselor, he was encouraged to see a therapist. With the help of on-campus mental health counselors, an athletic counselor, and his teammates and coaches, he worked tirelessly to get his life back on track.
Ironically, the MC athletics counselor who first helped Wilson is a PCC softball pitcher alumnus--Laney Collins (formerly McCown).
Wilson got back on track with his freshman season at MiraCosta in playing for an underdog team that made it to the 2022 CCCAA State Championship quarterfinals.
Transferring to PCC after the college hired Spartans coach Ryan Frazer, the 6-foot-9 Wilson flourished in the 2022-23 season as a starter. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in helping the Lancers to a 22-9 record, a state #22 ranking, winning two postseason games before just missing out on the state tourney in a last-minute loss in the regional finals to San Bernardino Valley.
Nigel is on schedule to earn his AA degree this spring, and at the end of the semester will transfer to one of the many schools that have expressed interest in his talents.
"I was in a very dark place during the 2020-21 school year. For the first time in my life, I felt isolated and was unsure of a path forward. Not being able to play basketball just added to my depression," admits Nigel. "I am forever grateful for the people at MiraCosta who encouraged me to seek counseling and deal with my feelings. I encourage all young people to seek help during the difficult times we all face."
Student-athletics feeling stressed, anxious, worried, or frustrated can call the CalHOPE Warm Line at (833) 317-HOPE (4673), or Live Chat and access free resources at www.CalHOPE.org. The award is selected and promoted through the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) in conjunction with the Associated Press.
Read more about Nigel's story at: https://www.calhopecourageaward.com/news/
(Some information in this article courtesy of Doug Drotman for CalHOPE)