13-Year-Old Leukemia Survivor Designs Shoes for Baylor Coach

Thirteen-year-old Michael Montague walked onto the Baylor men's basketball practice court Friday not as a patient, but as a designer, honorary guest, and most importantly, a cancer survivor.

Michael and his family joined Coach Scott Drew and the Bears during practice as part of the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. The visit came just weeks after Michael rang the bell to celebrate finishing chemotherapy, ending 870 days of treatment that began when he was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2024.

"We were just hooping!" Michael said about meeting the team. He got to shoot baskets with players and experience a behind-the-scenes look at the program before Saturday's game against TCU.

But Michael didn't just come to watch. He and his mother designed a pair of custom sneakers that Coach Drew will wear during the game, featuring Baylor's green and gold colors, the American Cancer Society logo, and personal messages including "play for Michael" and "pray for Michael."

The shoes also carry a special tribute to Michael's friend Nadeiah, who died from cancer. "She was always saying like stay positive, keep smiling," Michael said. "And I think it would help everybody that got cancer."

For Michael's father Walter, the journey from diagnosis to this moment has been transformative. "August 23, life got turned upside down for all of us," he said. "This is something that happens to other people, not to us."

Why This Inspires

Coach Drew said hosting young cancer survivors reminds his team what real toughness looks like. "It's a blessing always to see the courage and see the toughness, young kids that have battled cancer," he said.

Since 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $155 million for cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. The initiative brings together coaches and fans nationwide to turn the spotlight from the court to the community.

Michael's custom sneakers carry messages that extend far beyond Saturday's game, honoring both his own victory and the friend who encouraged him to keep smiling through the hardest days.