2025 TSSAA Mr. and Miss Basketball Finalists Announced

Awards to be presented on Tuesday, March 18

February 13, 2025

For Immediate Release:

NASHVILLE, TENN – Hillsboro High School is proud to announce that Cortez Graham-Howard has been named a finalist for the 2025 TSSAA Mr. Basketball award. This is a first for Head Coach Rodney Thweatt and a first for Hillsboro High School.

A standout senior, Graham-Howard averages 16 points, 6.2 defensive rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He joins fellow Mr. Basketball  finalists Christian Brown from Franklin High School and Taquez Butler from Whitehaven High School 4A finalists.

Earlier this year, Graham-Howard committed to playing college basketball for North Alabama and has been a star throughout his high school career. He has earned spots on the All-District 11 4A and All-Region 6 4A teams for both the regular season and all-tournament play during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. He was also named District 11 4A MVP as a junior.

Upon learning of his nomination, Graham-Howard couldn’t contain his excitement. Normally quiet and reserved, he celebrated the honor with his teammates. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “It’s a huge honor to be named a finalist, but the best part was celebrating with my team. We do everything together—practice, eat, and socialize. Our bond is so strong that we support each other off the court just as much as on it. I especially love traveling to tournaments with my teammates.”

“I am not big on individual awards, but with Cortez being such a team player, this really does feel like a team award,” shared Head Coach, Rodney Thweatt after learning of the announcement. “And not just because I have been his coach, but I have known him since he was little. Watching him grow up and mature as a basketball player just makes me proud; proud of Tez and proud of how we’ve worked so hard as a team.”

Graham-Howard’s leadership and dedication to the game have earned him the respect of his teammates. Tyren Fisher, a 6’5 senior standout in his own right, said, “Tez pushes the whole team when he pushes himself. We’re bonded on and off the court and when one works hard, it makes us all work hard.” Max Burtner, another senior, added, “Our team is like a family. We support each other through everything. When Tez was named a finalist, the whole team was so excited. It’s amazing.”

Graham-Howard joins an elite group of former Metro Nashville Public Schools athletes who have been recognized as Mr. Basketball winners including: Jaylen Jones (East Nashville, 2023), Brandon Miller (Cane Ridge, 2022), Bo Hodges (Maplewood, 2x winner, 2017, 2018), Jamont Gordon (Glencliff, 2004), Niki Arinze (MLK 1997) and David Vaughn (2x winner, 1990, 1991 Whites Creek) Other nominees include DeMarco Polk (Stratford); former Vanderbilt sharpshooter, Mario Moore (Antioch, 2x finalist) and Charles Hathaway (Hillwood High School). The Mr. Basketball finalists are selected by a statewide committee of sportswriters who evaluate athletes based on their performance during the 2024-2025 regular season, along with academics and character. Nominations are made by high school basketball coaches and media members.

The Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards will be presented to the top girls and boys in six classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association at the Tucker Theater on the campus of MTSU on Tuesday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be open to the public.