Fullerton, CA - Sebastian Castro of men's basketball and Shailissa Jarrett of women's basketball were two of the 16 student-athletes from across the Golden State Athletic Conference who were awarded the 2024 Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character award on Sunday night in Costa Mesa. The award is given to one male and one female student-athlete on each GSAC campus who demonstrates outstanding athletic achievement, campus and community leadership, future ambition and embraces the five core character values of the NAIA Champions of Character program (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership).  Student-athletes must be at least a junior academically and carry a 3.0 GPA.  The award is named after former Commissioner Cliff Hamlow who served the conference from its inception in 1986 to 2012.  Dr. Hamlow was also a key leader in the creation of the NAIA's Champions of Character program.

Sebastian Castro, Hope International University
Sebastian Castro is a senior guard on the Hope International men's basketball team who is a leader on and off the court while showcasing the NAIA's Champions of Character values.  On the court he is the team captain, displays great sportsmanship, and respects every one of his opponents. Castro is one of the top players on the men's team starting nearly every game and was the second leading scorer last year while earning All-GSAC honors in the process. This season he has taken on a different role on the team after having his season cut short due to injury, but he is still there to motivate his team as a leader from the sidelines. Sebastian also displays great servant leadership through his activities in the community. The senior helps with cleaning trash and litter in his city through the partnership with his church, Crystal Cathedral. On campus, he showcases responsibility by being a life group leader where he leads his team by incorporating God and basketball as one. Sebastian likes to incorporate the teachings of the Bible into ethical and inspiring motives that are enveloped in the game of basketball. A GSAC and NAIA Scholar Athlete, Sebastian is a leader in the classroom as well. Majoring in financial planning, Sebastian's future goals are to own his own firm and to play basketball professionally overseas. 

Shailissa Jarrett, Hope International University
Shailissa Jarrett is a senior guard on the Hope International women's basketball team who is a leader on and off the court, always displaying the NAIA's Champions of Character values.  On the court she is the team captain, displays great sportsmanship, and respects all opponents. Jarrett is one of the top players on the women's basketball team starting nearly every game and is the second leading scorer on the team. Shailissa also displays great servant leadership through her activities in the community volunteering for local sports leagues at the Whittier Area Community Church. She also serves as the worship vocalist at her church and has volunteered with Union Creative and The Fathers House Orange County. She has volunteered for Sports Jam, an event featuring Christian pro athletes to encourage young athletes to get involved in sports. She was a featured HIU student athlete for the 2022 event alongside NFL, NBA, and professional soccer players. She was a lead vocalist for the 2023 event and has been invited back to fill the same role for the 2024 event. She serves as the basketball camp director for IE Rain camp coaching kids 7-12 years old. On campus, she has been a small group leader for the last two years and a worship vocalist for Royals chapel. Academically, Shailissa is a Dean Honor Roll student and renaissance scholar. As a psychology major with a concentration in child and adolescent development and minoring in biblical studies it has been a blessing for her to be able to consider the intersectionality of psychology and biblical theology and has driven her to inspire people of all ages to work hard and passionately pursue their goals. Shailissa would like to get her doctorate in clinical psychology and become a college professor and therapist while also continuing to train basketball players of all ages.