Pittsboro, N.C. High School Basketball Player Overcomes Severe Sports Injury – Named National Finalist of Jersey Mike's Naismith Courage Award

Pittsboro, N.C. High School Basketball Player Overcomes Severe Sports Injury – Named National Finalist of Jersey Mike’s Naismith Courage Award

(PITTSBORO, N.C. – ) – Seaforth High School senior Levi Perkins from Pittsboro, N.C., has been named a finalist for the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award. Perkins, who suffered multiple devastating bilateral knee injuries, was selected as one of 10 national finalists after a nomination process that saw hundreds of entries from coaches, parents, and athletic directors across the country.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club, which administers the Naismith Awards, celebrating high school and college basketball’s most prestigious national awards, will announce a female winner and a male winner on March 6.

The Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award recognizes a high school basketball player who has consistently gone above and beyond throughout the basketball season and has demonstrated courage in their approach to their team, school, and community.

Perkins’ remarkable comeback from a severe sports injury to play basketball during his senior year exemplifies what it means to be courageous. Following an accident in July 2023 that resulted in bilateral ACL, PCL, and MCL tears, Levi faced the prospect of missing his final high school sports season. Yet, with determination and intense rehabilitation, he not only returned to the court in a record time of 5 months but also maintained his 3.9 GPA academic honors standing. Levi also continued to participate and serve as the local chapter FFA President. His resilience in overcoming physical and emotional pain, along with his commitment to his team, makes his journey an inspiring tale of perseverance.

“Every year, we’re moved by the stories of these young basketball players from across the country, whose bravery and leadership inspire us all,” remarked Eric Oberman, the head of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “It’s a joy to recognize Levi as one of the top ten contenders for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award. He truly represents what this honor is all about.”

For the two final winners, Jersey Mike’s will make a $2,000 donation to the players’ high school basketball programs in their honor and reward each overall winner with an additional $2,000 per student. Winners will be recognized at their school and through a video tribute shared across the Naismith Trophy and Jersey Mike’s websites and social media accounts.

“All of us at Jersey Mike’s applaud these 10 courageous student-athletes,” said Rich Hope, Chief Marketing Officer of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “Their fortitude and their communities’ support are a testament to the power of perseverance.”

For more information about the winners, visit www.astudentabove.com.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder.

ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS Jersey Mike’s Subs, with nearly 2,500 locations nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/jerseymikes), Instagram (instagram.com/jerseymikes), and Twitter (twitter.com/jerseymikes.com).