I'm Sekoe White.
I'm the head coach, for the boy's basketball team
at the Mississippi School for the Deaf.
I was born hearing.
At age two I became deaf.
I had a high fever and it effected my brain stem
and my hearing, and so since age two,
I've been deaf, completely deaf.
My father, I remember, used to call me a warrior.
At that time, my father gave me the name, Sekoe.
It's an African name that means warrior.
So that, I guess, lit the fire in me.
I grew up wanting to play professional basketball.
After I graduated college,
I played semi pro basketball,
ABA, American Basketball Association for the Deaf
in Baltimore, Maryland.
In my gut, I just felt like basketball professionally,
was not gonna satisfy me.
So, I really thought about it,
and I thought, you know,
coaching could be really interesting.
(upbeat music)
Wow, honestly, that video going viral,
at first it wasn't a big deal to me,
until afterwards when people really started
reaching out to me.
They really were showing me all the videos
and where it was everywhere.
To me, it's everyday work.
It's the story of my job, but when I stepped back,
and really watched it, I guess I didn't realize
the impact that it could make on society.
Like, a lot of people don't know what deaf people can do.
My high school team, of course, is my team,
so I'm supporting them, but I love to watch college ball,
UNC, and the University of Kentucky.
My favorite player is Kobe Bryant.
He's my favorite player of all-time.
He's got such skills and he's so focused.
When I was younger, I always wanted to copy his moves.
What I would love for people to learn about the story,
is that deaf people are just like you.
So, if you work hard, you can get what you want,
and be what you want to be.
That's what I do,
and that's what I hope to influence everybody else.
(applauding)
Coach White is our head coach.
He teaches us skills that can be applied to life and school.
Also, what it means to be part of a team.
Coach White really inspires me to be a leader.
Sometimes I feel like, I have a responsibility
at school to be on the basketball team as a leader.
Really, I want to thank Coach White
for the coaching opportunity.
When I was in high school, I knew how to play basketball,
but then when I met Coach White,
wow, he really taught me a lot.
Coach White is a wonderful coach.
He taught me how to shoot a basketball.
He taught me that a team works together to be successful.
I really want to say, thank you so much.
Thank you for making us practice,
teaching us to work really hard.
We won the championship for you.
Thank you again, so much!
I just want to tell Coach White,
you are the best coach ever.
I love you.
Hey, what's up Coach White.
Listen, I understand you're a big fan.
Truth is, the work you do makes you the hero.
I believe in the importance of inspiring young athletes
and the power of transformation the game offers.
You inspire your team every day
and serve as a true professor in life,
so thank you for all you do.
I'm so excited to share my new book collection,
The Wizenard Series, with the world,
and to inspire kids, just like your team,
to unlock your potential.
I'm sending you and your entire team, signed copies
of the first installment, Training Camp.
Keep up the great work, Coach White.
(applauding)
Is that you laughing?
It feels good, huh?
Thank you so much to Kobe for taking the time
and for sending that lovely message,
and his books along for the whole team.
If you would like a copy of his books,
they're on shelves now.
Yes, the first edition's already out.
Wilson Sporting Goods heard about you and your team,
and they sent over customized basketballs
for the entire team, which is very cool.
They also sent over all of these customized backpacks
for the entire team.
Look!
Isn't that nice?
(applauding)
And, as a little bonus, they're giving you $2,000
to get you started for the next season,
to do whatever you'd like with, a donation.
Wow!
Pretty cool, right?
(applauding)
Is that good?
Yes.
Yay!
Surprise!
(laughing)
Yes, wow, this is a great surprise.
I never thought this would happen.
Congratulations.
Keep doing your work.
(applauding)
(chiming)