In the heart of Solano State Prison, a groundbreaking program is proving that basketball is more than just a game, it’s a pathway to personal transformation. The Twinning Project, in collaboration with the Golden State Warriors, is empowering incarcerated men to become coaches, mentors, and agents of change.

Ray Woodfork’s story exemplifies the program’s profound impact. Once aspiring to play in the NBA, Woodfork’s life took a devastating turn when he was arrested for murder at age 20. Now, through the Warriors’ coaching initiative, he’s discovering a new identity and purpose.

The six-week program goes far beyond teaching basketball skills. Participants learn mental strategies like the “palms down” technique, a method of staying calm and focused when confronted with triggers. Mental skills coach Graham Betchart has developed innovative approaches that help inmates reframe their responses to challenging situations.

Participants like Jonquel Brooks speak about the program’s emotional significance. “It reintroduced me to my love of basketball and showed me that people on the outside haven’t given up on us,” he shared. Each Tuesday, the men trade prison blues for Warriors jerseys, experiencing a sense of dignity and belonging often missing in their daily lives.

The program’s success isn’t just anecdotal. A University of Oxford study highlighted significant benefits, including reduced violence and improved relationships among inmates and prison staff. For many participants, this experience represents their first opportunity to feel truly seen and valued.

Woodfork, now a drug and alcohol counselor, has used the program’s teachings to transform his own narrative. “This is an opportunity to show the world I’m not the person I was,” he explains. His journey, from potential NBA player to incarcerated individual to certified coach, demonstrates the power of rehabilitation and second chances.

As the Twinning Project continues to expand, the Golden State Warriors are setting a powerful example of how sports can be a vehicle for personal growth, empathy, and social change. By investing in these men’s potential, they’re not just coaching basketball, they’re coaching hope.