SMU men’s basketball player Jonathan Wilfong was nominated for the 2017 Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Team. This award recognizes a select group of college basketball student-athletes who stand out for their charitable achievements and community involvement. The NABC Good Works Team is in its fifth year with a panel composed of former coaches, student athletes and media choose student-athletes who have made outstanding contributions in areas of volunteerism and civic involvement.

Senior Wilfong is from Memphis, Tennessee and co-founded Coaching for Literacy, an organization that helps fund literacy programs across the country. Coaching for Literacy increases awareness about the number of people in America who are functionally illiterate and the social problems that come with illiteracy. This organization partners with sports teams across the country for a unique game-day experience. By raising money through donations, Coaching for Literacy supports effective local literacy programs and schools focused on educating elementary and middle school students.

SMU has already sponsored two coaching for literacy events at basketball games. Head coach Larry Brown has joined Coaching for Literacy. Other schools that support the organization are Florida State, Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech.

Wilfong is in his final season for SMU basketball. The final roster of the NABC woodworks team will be announced in February. These 20 student-athletes will attend the men’s basketball Final Four, and will do a community service project in the city where the event will be held.