ATHLETE SUCCESS STORY
Elijah Mahi
From Toronto’s Galloway neighbourhood to NCAA Division I basketball and the Oklahoma City Thunder Summer League.
Elijah Mahi’s journey is a story of talent, resilience and what can happen when the right support arrives at the right time. During a period of major financial, social and academic uncertainty, Drive for Dreams helped Elijah stay connected to his education and continue pursuing the opportunities ahead of him.
01 — ROOTS
Talent was never the question.
Born and raised in Toronto’s Galloway neighbourhood, Elijah was one of the top-rated basketball players in his age group growing up.
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, his family was significantly affected by financial and social uncertainty. Elijah was displaced from the home he grew up in and, at the same time, faced challenges keeping up academically.
His basketball potential remained clear. The challenge was making sure circumstances outside the game did not determine what came next.
02 — SUPPORT
Opportunity means more than access to the court.
Drive for Dreams supported Elijah at a time when stability mattered most.
The Foundation provided scholarship funding, academic tutoring, mental health resources and additional support to help him return to academic programming and prepare for post-secondary education.
The goal was not simply to help Elijah continue playing basketball. It was to help make sure he had the academic and personal support needed to keep moving forward.
03 — WEST VALLEY COLLEGE
An undefeated season changed the trajectory.
Elijah continued his basketball career at West Valley College in California, where he developed into one of the country’s top junior college players.
During the 2023–24 season, West Valley finished 33–0 and won the California state championship. Elijah was named State Player of the Year and State Tournament MVP.
The season marked a major step forward in his career and created the opportunity for Elijah to move on to NCAA Division I basketball.
- 33–0
- Undefeated season
- STATE CHAMPIONS
- California
- PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- 2023–24
04 — SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
The next opportunity was Division I.
Elijah transferred to Santa Clara University and spent two seasons competing at the NCAA Division I level.
In his senior season in 2025–26, he averaged 14.1 points per game, earned First Team All-WCC and Second Team NABC All-District honours, and helped Santa Clara reach the NCAA Tournament.
It was the culmination of a college journey that had taken him from junior college basketball to one of the biggest stages in the sport.
05 — NCAA TOURNAMENT
His final college game came on the NCAA Tournament stage.
Santa Clara reached the NCAA Tournament during Elijah’s senior season.
In his final collegiate game, against Kentucky, Elijah led the Broncos with 20 points.
It was the final performance of a college career that had progressed from West Valley to Santa Clara and ultimately to March Madness.
06 — IMPACT
Progress created the chance to give back.
During his collegiate career, Elijah also earned significant opportunities through name, image and likeness.
Those opportunities allowed him to give back to his community and help support his family during times of need.
His progress in basketball was beginning to create an impact beyond basketball itself.
07 — OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The journey reached the professional level.
Following his career at Santa Clara, Elijah signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2026 NBA Summer League, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career.
From Galloway to junior college, NCAA Division I basketball and an opportunity at the professional level, each stage of Elijah’s journey reflects both the work he put in and the importance of having support when circumstances could have taken his path in another direction.
Talent needs opportunity.
Elijah’s story is one example of what can happen when a young person receives support not only as an athlete, but as a student and as a person.
Drive for Dreams exists to help create those opportunities — giving young people facing economic and social barriers the resources and support to keep moving toward what is possible.
