St. John’s School junior Lily Dunlap of Houston, Texas, and Clintondale High School senior Davon Ciesiolka of Clinton Township, Mich., have been named the national winners of the 2025 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award.
The Atlanta Tipoff Club (ATOC), administrators of the Naismith Awards for high school and college basketball excellence, selected Dunlap and Ciesiolka for their exceptional courage, perseverance, and leadership on and off the basketball court. The award, established in 2020, honors high school basketball players who overcome adversity and make a lasting impact on their teams, schools, and communities.
Dunlap and Ciesiolka each received events at their school where their classmates, teachers, and teammates celebrated their awards. In recognition of their achievements, Jersey Mike’s donated $2,000 to each winner’s high school basketball program and an additional $2,000 to each recipient.
Dunlap, who has overcome hearing loss since childhood and battled Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during her junior year, and Ciesiolka, who has endured the loss of his mother while serving as a caretaker for his siblings, were selected from a competitive field of 10 national finalists. Their unwavering strength and resilience set them apart from hundreds of student-athletes who were nominated by coaches, parents, and athletic directors nationwide.
“Lily and Davon represent the heart of what this award stands for—unbreakable perseverance, strength in the face of challenges, and an unwavering commitment to their teams and communities,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “Their stories inspire not only their peers but all of us who believe in the transformative power of sports.”
Dunlap was diagnosed with hearing loss at age four and has been a role model for her younger brother, who also wears hearing aids. In the spring of 2024, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy while staying dedicated to her team. Despite the challenges, she continued working in the weight room and on the court during her treatment, rebuilding her strength and inspiring her teammates. Shortly after completing her final chemotherapy session, she returned to the court and sank a three-pointer in her first game back, igniting an emotional celebration.
Ciesiolka’s journey has been defined by personal hardship and resilience. After a house fire displaced his family in eighth grade, he found a new home at Clintondale High School, where he quickly emerged as a leader on and off the court. His world changed again in 2022 when his mother passed away shortly after giving birth to his youngest sibling. He immediately stepped up as a caretaker for his younger siblings and his two older brothers with special needs. Despite these responsibilities, he has maintained a 3.4 GPA while taking dual-enrollment courses, excelling in advanced robotics, leading his basketball and football teams as captain, and working part-time to help support his family.
“We are constantly inspired by the strength and character of young athletes who overcome incredible obstacles,” said Rich Hope, Chief Marketing Officer at Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, LLC. “Lily and Davon embody the true spirit of the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements.”
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 AXIA Time, Jersey Mike’s, MOLECULE and Werner Ladder.
ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 4,000 locations open and in development, 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, Instagram, TikTok and X.
