Nehemiah Holmes is a legacy Tiger whose passion for basketball runs deep.
A junior guard for the Terrell High School Tigers, Nehemiah has been part of the varsity basketball program since his freshman year. An all-around player, he’s willing to step into any role the team needs. Terrell pride runs in his family—his older brother, Malachai Livingston, graduated in 2024, and his mom, Whitney Jones, is also a Terrell High School graduate.
Nehemiah has attended Terrell schools his entire life and began playing basketball in fifth grade through the EXCEL Center and Upward Bound before continuing at Furlough Middle School. Growing up playing basketball and football with his cousins, basketball quickly became the sport he loved most. “I made a lot of friends through the game,” he said.
Over time, basketball became more than a sport—it became a source of peace. “I can come in, play basketball, and leave everything behind,” Nehemiah shared. “It elevates my mood.”
For the past two years, Nehemiah has played under Head Coach Garrett Lancaster, whom he credits with pushing the team to grow. “Our coaches have never given up on us,” he said. “Coach Lancaster keeps us in check. He helps us on and off the court. He cares about us a lot.”
Coach Lancaster says Nehemiah’s growth has been remarkable. “Out of our whole program, Nehemiah has grown the most over the past year,” he said. “He plays with extreme intensity on defense, is our most selfless offensive player, and isn’t afraid to hold others accountable. He exemplifies what our program is all about.”
Basketball has also taught Nehemiah lessons that extend far beyond the court—especially teamwork, patience and communication. “If all five guys aren’t on the same page, the game won’t go right,” Nehemiah explained. “Everyone has to communicate at the same time and at the same level.” Those skills, he says, translate directly to relationships, careers, and everyday life.
Nehemiah sees his team trending upward and believes the program is on the rise. “It takes time to rebuild a program, but change is happening,” he shared.
As a leader, Nehemiah is known as a motivator and prides himself on bringing energy to practices and games, especially during the offseason when players focus on conditioning and strength. Looking ahead to his senior year, his goal is clear: help lead the Tigers to the playoffs before graduating in May 2027.
Each season, he sees the progress. Each year, the program builds on the work of those who came before. And for leader Nehemiah Holmes that growth is something he’s proud to be part of, one practice, one game, and one play at a time - and that’s a legacy he’s proud to carry forward.