Former Illinois Fighting Illini point guard Tracy Abrams (‘11-‘17) suffered a torn ACL in 2014 and a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2015, causing the Mount Carmel native to miss back-to-back seasons.
Abrams did not let these injuries break him down mentally. Instead, he kept a positive mindset, overcame both injuries, and returned to the basketball court at full health one year after suffering his second injury.
The Illini point guard averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1 steal per game when he returned in 2016.
While doing this, Abrams earned three degrees.
After suffering his second injury, Abrams knew basketball wasn’t going to last forever. Abrams told the Chicago Tribune he began to think about what he wanted his future to consist of. “I always wanted to do work with kids. I wanted to have a positive impact,” Abrams tells the Tribune.
Abrams used the life lessons he learned from overcoming his injuries to launch Chicago Positive Impact, which Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune describes as “a mentorship program focused on goal-setting and self-improvement for under-served Chicago Public Schools elementary students.”
Abrams explains how there are a lack of role models for kids in today’s world. “A lot of kids don’t have an outlet. There’s a lot of stuff going on in their lives. You see people who are successful and think, ‘Oh, I want to be that person.’ I want to push positivity. I’m just like these kids. I’m from Chicago. And my story is great,” he tells the Tribune.
The former Illini has worked with ten different schools.
Abrams is always sure to show his students that he supports and cares for them.
“I want to support you to become the best version of you,” he tells them.
The former Illini plans to host a barbecue for his students this summer. The barbecue will include a basketball clinic and a back-to-school supplies giveaway.