SLAM: Relentless SZN 2, Presented by UA | Episode 4: Graduation

IMG Academy basketball student-athletes Keyonte George, Jaden Bradley, Jett Howard, and Jarace Walker have been able to excel in the classroom while training, competing, and developing in Bradenton. How have they been able to make it happen so seamlessly? Two overarching themes seem to have made that possible - these student-athletes each had the drive to succeed as well as a strong support group inclusive of their loving mothers, which the SLAM video team got to experience first-hand.

From the very first practice, the boys’ mothers—Mialisha Bradley, Kristen George, Marcia Walker, and Jenine Howard—have been supporting them from the bleachers. “We’re a family,” says Mialisha Bradley. “We meet up at every tournament, and it’s just love every time we get together.”

While the boys study and play, these hard-working moms sacrifice to make sure their sons continue to thrive. “When you have a child that’s passionate about something, you have to do everything that you can to foster that and make way for that,” explains Janine Howard.

Kristen George agrees. “You don’t have any ‘me’ time when it comes to being a basketball mom,” she says. “Mother’s Days are spent in the gym.” This commitment not only bonds the mothers, but it bonds the boys, too. They’re encouraged by one another to push each other to be the best version of themselves.
 

High school might be over for these student-athletes, but their mothers are clearly proud of everything they were able to do during their careers. “What an accomplishment. IMG gave him a really big head start,” says Marcia Walker. “I’m excited to see what he’s going to do at the next level.

Watch this SLAM video, and spend graduation day with the boys and their moms before they leave for college. To learn more about IMG's basketball programs, to sign up for a basketball camp, or to check out our other youth programs, check out the links below.