SACRAMENTO - Two California college basketball players Aaliyah Gayles, a sophomore at the University of Southern California (USC), and Jailen Daniel-Dalton, a senior at San Francisco State University, have been selected as the October 2024 recipients of the CalHOPE Courage Award. 
 
The award, presented monthly since February 2022, honors student-athletes at California colleges and universities who have overcome the stress, anxiety, and mental trauma associated with personal hardships and adversity. In addition to the recognition, a donation will be made on behalf of all honorees to support on-campus mental health services.
 
Here’s a closer look at the inspiring personal stories of these student-athletes:

Jailen Daniel-Dalton, San Francisco State, Basketball
Jailen Daniel-Dalton, a senior forward for San Francisco State University’s basketball team, faced one of the most pivotal moments in his life when he learned in September 2023 that his girlfriend was pregnant.
 
Balancing the demands of college athletics was already a full-time job, but the sudden responsibility of impending fatherhood intensified the pressure. He was still recovering from an injury and juggling the long commute between campus and his girlfriend’s home in Mountain View. He admits it was hard focusing on basketball while feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of his personal life.
 
The mental toll of managing these new responsibilities weighed heavily on him. His daily schedule was packed with early morning workouts, study hall sessions, and travel back and forth between school and home. His scholarship hinged on maintaining his GPA, and the stakes felt impossibly high. He knew everything had to be handled or his studies, basketball, and personal life would fall apart.
 
Drawing on lessons from his time at Gavilan Community College, Jailen knew the importance of prioritizing his mental health. The challenges he faced navigating this new chapter forced him to rely on the coping strategies he developed. Although he wasn’t 100 percent prepared, he had enough tools to help navigate the tough road ahead.

“Through it all, I am proud that my resilience and commitment to both my family and team has defined my journey and made me stronger both on and off the court. My challenges have been a test of mental strength and resilience,” said Jailen. “Balancing basketball, school, and becoming a father pushed me in ways I never expected. There were moments I felt overwhelmed, but I relied heavily on the support of my family, teammates, and coaches. They helped me stay grounded and focused. Without them, I don’t know how I would have made it. I’ve learned that you don’t have to face challenges alone; you can lean on those around you."
 
Despite this challenge, the 6-foot-6-inch forward excelled in his first season with the Gators, earning All-California Collegiate Athletic Association second team honors. He led the team in both scoring (11.8 points per game) and rebounding (6.6 per game) and was second in both assists (50) and blocked shots (19). Unfortunately, due to a shoulder injury, Jailen will miss the 2024-25 season.

Aaliyah Gayles, USC, Basketball
A McDonald’s All-American from Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas with a bright basketball future, Aaliyah’s life took a drastic turn at an April 2022 house party, when she was shot multiple times in both her arms and legs. Her injuries were so severe that her ability to walk, let alone play basketball, was uncertain. However, even from her hospital bed, she remained committed to her dream of playing for USC, signing her national letter of intent while still undergoing intensive medical treatment.
 
Aaliyah’s physical recovery was grueling. The months following the shooting were filled with surgeries, physical therapy, and painful rehabilitation sessions. She had to relearn how to move her body, starting with the basics of making a fist and wiggling her toes to eventually walk on her own. Despite the immense pain and emotional toll, Aaliyah’s resilience shone through. She credits her determination, support from her family and the unwavering belief of USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who promised her a spot on the team regardless of her ability to return to the court.
 
Emotionally, the recovery process was equally challenging. Aaliyah faced the mental strain of processing the trauma, wondering if she would ever regain her former strength and whether she could return to the game she loved. She felt fear, especially during her first days back on campus when she was still unstable on her feet. Despite these challenges, her positive attitude never wavered. She remained a source of inspiration for her teammates, attending practices and supporting them even when she couldn’t participate fully.
 
Finally, in November 2023, after nearly two years of rehabilitation, Aaliyah stepped onto the court in a USC jersey to a standing ovation, marking her official return to competitive basketball. She went on to play a total of 44 minutes in 7 games, scoring 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. 
 
“This journey has been the hardest battle of my life,” said Aaliyah. “There were days when the pain and fear felt overwhelming, but basketball was my motivation to keep pushing. Every step I took was about getting back to the game I love. I leaned on my family, coaches, and teammates, who lifted me up when I needed it most. Their belief in me, along with my passion for basketball, helped me overcome every obstacle.”

About the CalHOPE Courage Award
The monthly CalHOPE Courage Award is presented by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA), in association with The Associated Press; CalHOPE, a Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) crisis counseling and support resource; and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being.
 
“CalHOPE is honored to continue recognizing student-athletes statewide who have overcome challenges to perform their best as both scholars and athletes,” said Autumn Boylan, Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships at DHCS, which oversees CalHOPE. “CalHOPE’s purpose is to build community resilience and help people recover from disasters and public health emergencies through free outreach, crisis counseling, and support services. We hope that by sharing these stories of courage, all will be inspired.”
 
At the end of the school year, two of the student-athletes will be selected as the CalHOPE Courage Award winners. The previous winners were: 2024 – Cameron Nelsen (volleyball, Antelope Valley College) and Myron “MJ” Amey (basketball, San Jose State); 2023 - Anysa and Amaya Gray (soccer, U.C. Berkeley) and Nigel Wilson (basketball, Pasadena City College); and 2022 - Julia Schwayder (lacrosse, Occidental College) and Breyon Jackson (basketball, San Francisco State).
 
Stories about all CalHOPE Courage Award honorees since 2022 are available at CalHOPECourageAward.org and via social media (X & Instagram) at @CalHOPE_Courage.
 
Sports information directors at all colleges and universities in California are encouraged to nominate deserving intercollegiate student-athletes at CalHOPECourageAward.org. The honorees are selected by a panel of writers, editors, The Associated Press, and the College Sports Communicators.
 
ABOUT CalHOPE
CalHOPE is a multi-level campaign run by DHCS to connect people with vital mental health and wellness resources and information to help them navigate during times of crisis. CalHOPE offers critical behavioral health crisis counseling programs and uses a public health approach that is focused on strength-based strategies for building resiliency and connecting people to the support they need. CalHOPE partners with the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being to promote the CalHOPE Courage Award. CalHOPE resources may be accessed by calling the program’s warm line at (833) 317-HOPE (4673), accessing the live chat feature, or visiting www.calhope.org.
 
College Sports Communicators: The College Sports Communicators is a 3,600-plus member national organization, comprised of the athletic communications, media relations, digital, and creative professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1957, the organization is the second oldest management association in intercollegiate athletics. The organization's signature program is the Academic All-America program, honoring thousands of outstanding scholar-athletes annually. To learn more, visit collegesportscommunicators.com.