This past season, Grafton celebrated a special milestone as one of its students, Jeffrey, was selected as the first recipient of the SUPERB Basketball Clyde “Dink” Williams Excellence Award, an honor created to recognize perseverance, growth, and the spirit that defines the SUPERB basketball program. 

SUPERB Basketball League, a program for students with special needs under Unique Hoops Basketball Academy, is made possible through a collaboration between Unique Hoops and Grafton. Together, they combine the basketball instruction of Chris Rhone and his coaches with the therapeutic support from Grafton’s staff and clinicians, creating an environment where students with challenging behaviors can build skills, confidence, and meaningful relationships both on and off the court. 

The Clyde Williams Award was established to honor the legacy of one of the original coaches and visionaries behind the program. Clyde played an instrumental role in developing the concept for a basketball program designed specifically for children with different abilities. He was deeply involved in the planning process and even coined the name “SUPERB.” Although Clyde passed away in 2023, he was able to see the program launch and begin making an impact in the lives of students. 

When it came time to select the inaugural recipient for this award, Jeffrey stood out as the embodiment of what the award represents. 

Sam Butler, Case Management Administrator, noticed while assisting with practices that Jeffrey was very hesitant to participate when he joined the team. However, one thing never changed: he always showed up. Practice after practice, Jeffrey attended consistently, supported by his dedicated staff and encouraged by coaches who recognized his potential. 

Over time, Sam began noticing small but meaningful signs of progress in Jeffrey. 

“It was the little bits of growth every practice that stood out,” Sam remembered. “You could see his confidence building.” 

Then came a breakthrough moment during a ball-handling drill. What had once seemed impossible suddenly clicked. He independently dribbled the ball down the court and took a shot. 

The progress extended beyond basketball. Jeffrey’s teacher observed positive changes in his classroom participation and mindset as he gained confidence through his experiences on the court. 

For the coaches, Jeffrey’s journey perfectly reflected the values they were looking for in this award: perseverance and commitment. 

As part of the award, Jeffrey received a commemorative trophy recognizing his achievement. According to his mother, the trophy now sits proudly in his bedroom as a daily reminder of how far he has come. 

“We feel so blessed to be a part of the Grafton family and SUPERB basketball team! When we started this basketball journey, Jeffrey would just sit on the sidelines and watch them practice. Now he participates every week! It just goes to show that regardless of having a disability, if you have the right coaches and support, you can do anything. Thank you again to the staff at Grafton and Coach Chris for helping the children shine!” 

Looking ahead, the hope is that future seasons will continue to create opportunities for students and families to experience the pride that comes with being part of a team.