Legendary Coach Thomas Billups speaks with WC’s basketball teams

Legendary basketball coach Thomas Billups stopped by Warren Central High on Wednesday to speak to the boy’s and girl’s basketball teams.

Billups, who led Lanier High School to eight state championship titles and 13 appearances, laid some knowledge on the young athletes.

“When your coach gets on to you it’s not because they dislike you or anything, the only thing you need to be worried about is when they don’t get on to you,” Billups said.

Billups advised the Vikings to do their best at everything they do and keep their parents out of their athletics activities. He never hesitated to speak his mind on yesterday.

“I don’t run from anything and I’m gonna sit here and talk with you but I will have to do it my way,” Billups added.

Billups also touched on the topic of drugs and advised WC not to participate in anything like that which could jeopardize their future.

The conversation between Billups and the Vikings lasted for over an hour. Lady Vikes’ coach Pooh Robinson and boy’s coach Keith Williams both vouched for him due to their first-hand experiences with Billups.

“Coach Pooh and I are both trying to change the culture so we brought in a motivational speaker just to echo some things we’ve been talking about,” Williams said. I’ve known him since I was five years old and he’s been a mentor to me ever since.”

Billups, who now coaches at Tougaloo College, stayed behind to answer a few questions:

VDN will catch up with Billups in the upcoming weeks as he agreed to sit down and speak about his career.