Baylor’s Bigger Battle: How a 13-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Inspired the Bears Ahead of Their TCU Rematch
There’s nothing like a losing streak to test a team’s resolve. But for Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou and the rest of the Bears, perspective came in the form of a 13-year-old fighter who’s been through more than most college athletes ever will.
Michael Montague, a seventh-grader and cancer survivor, spent time with the Baylor men’s basketball team on Friday-just two weeks after ringing the bell to mark the end of his chemotherapy treatment. And for Yessoufou, who’s been grinding through a tough Big 12 stretch, that moment hit home.
“You’d rather go through it yourself than seeing a kid go through that,” Yessoufou said. “But to see the smile on his face and how he’s dealt with it, I have so much respect for him, for sure.”
Michael’s visit wasn’t just a feel-good moment-it was a powerful reminder of what toughness really looks like. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August 2023, Michael endured a brutal treatment process that stretched over two years. His father, Walter Montague, described the early days as “incredibly hard,” especially the first 30 days when the family was still adjusting to the diagnosis and the reality of what lay ahead.
“You learn quickly to take it one day at a time,” Walter said. “Even after remission, the treatment keeps going. It’s a long road.”
That road reached a milestone on January 8, when Michael rang the bell at McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple, officially marking the end of his cancer treatment. It was a moment filled with joy and relief-not a massive ceremony, just a tight circle of nurses, doctors, family, and close friends. But for the Montague family, it meant everything.
Now back at River Valley Middle School in the Midway ISD, Michael is easing into normal life again-playing basketball for his school team and getting ready to return to class. And yes, he’s fully aware his friends are going to be jealous of his time with the Bears.
“I’m really excited to go back to school,” Michael said. “A lot of my friends are probably going to be really jealous because I got to hang out with the Baylor basketball team.”
The visit came ahead of Baylor’s Coaches vs. Cancer game on Saturday, where the team will honor Michael and his family.
Head coach Scott Drew will be wearing custom sneakers designed by Michael and his mom, Gretchen. The shoes feature personal touches, including a tribute to “Nadia’s Warriors”-a nod to one of Michael’s friends who passed away during her own cancer battle.
“She was always saying, ‘Stay positive. Keep smiling,’” Michael said.
“That just helped me get through it. I think it would help everybody that gets cancer.
If they kept doing that, they would get through it a lot easier.”
Drew, whose mother passed away from cancer a year and a half ago, knows the emotional weight these moments carry. And for a team searching for its rhythm after a three-game home skid, Michael’s story brought more than just inspiration-it brought clarity.
“It’s always a blessing to see the courage and toughness of kids like Michael,” Drew said. “For our players and staff, it’s a chance to say thank you and let them know how much they inspire us.
It’s a reality check. Losing is no fun, but being alive and having a chance to play a fun game-that’s a blessing.”
That mindset will be front and center when Baylor (11-7, 1-5 Big 12) takes the floor against TCU (12-7, 2-4) on Saturday at Foster Pavilion. This one’s personal-not just because of the occasion, but because the Horned Frogs edged the Bears 69-63 in Fort Worth in their Big 12 opener last month.
Now, it’s Baylor’s turn to defend home court.
“We’ve got to get our get-back,” said Yessoufou, who’s averaging 17.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. “We weren’t happy at all (with the first game).
Now, they’re coming to our crib, and it’s time for us to defend our crib. We’re trying to take the losing out of our mouth and just be locked-in.”
The Bears will look to channel the same resolve Michael showed throughout his battle. The stakes may be different, but the fight-the willingness to keep showing up and pushing forward-is something these players now understand on a deeper level.
Saturday’s game tips off at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with Pete Sousa and former Baylor standout King McClure on the call. But beyond the broadcast and the box score, this one’s about more than basketball. It’s about resilience, perspective, and a young boy who reminded a team what real toughness looks like.