Indy Standard

Jacob Gregory, a sixth-grade math teacher at William McKinley School 39, documented the journey of his student, Ileana Mora-Gomez, as she competed and won the Math Hoops Global Tournament in New York City. This marked Gregory’s second consecutive trip as the head of the school’s NBA Math Hoops program. Gregory was selected as one of three 2024 Learn Fresh Outstanding Educators and was the only recipient from Indiana. He joined Mora-Gomez in New York City to participate in global festivities, including the NBA Draft.

For three years, the Pacers Foundation has partnered with the Lilly Foundation and the NBA to promote interest in math and STEAM-related subjects within Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). This initiative aims to move more students—particularly girls and students of color—into high-wage, high-demand STEAM industries.

NBA Math Hoops uses basketball themes to teach math and social-emotional skills to students in grades 4-8 through a free board game, curriculum, and community program. The program prepares students for high school math and enhances self-regulation and executive function in various learning settings.

Gregory shared his experience:

"Spending four days in June a nervous wreck about how one of my students does on their math is not normally how I spend my summer," he said. "But from June 25-28, I found myself in New York City with Ileana, her mother Claudia Gomez, and 23 other students and their parents from across the globe for the Learn Fresh NBA Math Hoops Global Championship."

On June 25th, participants arrived at Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central. After arriving from Indianapolis via JFK airport, they visited Carlo’s Bakery in Times Square at Ileana's request. That evening included a meet-and-greet where participants received their Math Hoops swag and met their partners. Ileana was paired with Camila from San Antonio Spurs.

June 26th involved an early bus departure to Liberty Science Center where Ileana and Camila drafted their NBA Math Hoops team before exploring the museum. The day ended with lunch followed by opening rounds of the tournament. Despite nerves from her mother Claudia Gomez, Ileana excelled: "It was very easy to hear Ileana’s opponents say things like 'how’d you do that math so fast' or 'I haven’t even written my numbers down yet and you’re done?'" They later attended the NBA Draft after winning two out of three games.

On June 27th, students visited Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University to learn about sports analytics through presentations by current and former students. After some free time in New York City, they went to Dave & Buster’s for an awards ceremony where Gregory received his Learn Fresh Math Hoops Outstanding Educator award.

The final day on June 28th saw tours of NBA Offices before concluding rounds of the tournament: "Round by round, they kept moving on until they were in the championship game," Gregory recounted. He learned about their victory just before liftoff back home: "I received my last text about five minutes before liftoff that they had won."

Ileana represented Pacers Sports & Entertainment Group alongside Eli Lilly Company through Learn Fresh organization which recently celebrated serving one million students via STEM education through sports.

"Ileana is an extremely humble student," Gregory noted. She had saved money intended for an iPhone but instead bought gifts for her teachers.

Reflecting on his role as club sponsor for NBA Math Hoops two years ago initially seemed daunting but became rewarding seeing kids excited about math: "Joy and excitement do not normally go in same sentence as math."

Gregory emphasized what Learn Fresh NBA Math Hoops has achieved for William McKinley School's students remains his biggest reward beyond personal accolades like being named both 2023 Pacers/Fever NBA Math Hoops Teacher Of The Year And now A Learn Fresh Outstanding Educator again In 2024.