JTC 25: Heart Behind the Hustle

Kyle Wakefield came to the University of Mississippi to study journalism, but he is graduating this spring not only as a promising storyteller, but also as a viral sensation and a beloved figure within the Ole Miss basketball program.

Wakefield, a senior from Katy, Texas, made headlines in February 2024 when a video of him enthusiastically cleaning up a wet spot on the Pavilion court during the second half of the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State men’s basketball game exploded across social media.

As a student manager for the team, his over-the-top enthusiasm and hustle in front of a roaring student section quickly turned into a moment of pure internet gold. It earned him national attention and widespread praise for his energy, spirit and dedication.

“My family's been friends with Coach Davis for about 30 years, and he offered me a spot with the team," Wakefield said. "He wanted me to come be a manager for the basketball team, and I took that opportunity and ran with it.

“I'm thankful that Coach Beard gave me an opportunity to stay on, and it has been the best five years of my life.”

Wakefield’s decision to attend Ole Miss was fueled by both academic and personal reasons.

“I just love the campus here, love the people,” Wakefield said. “Heard a lot of great things about the journalism program and I wanted to come here to study. Student Disability Services was great for getting my accommodations and making sure I had everything I needed to succeed.”

Diagnosed with autism at a young age, he faced many challenges few thought he would overcome.

“I had a language learning disability under the autism spectrum, and I really wasn't even supposed to go to college,” Wakefield said. “The expert said when I was a kid that I should have been institutionalized.

“I just wanted to show that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, you give 110% effort. And that's really the legacy that I wanted to leave here at Ole Miss."

Throughout his time at Ole Miss, Wakefield became known not just for his viral moment, but for his character and contributions inside and outside the classroom.

"He's really encouraging of his classmates," said Michael Fagans, associate professor of multimedia journalism. "If someone did something well, he'd congratulate them and compliment them.

“He is a really good human being. What makes him extraordinary is his friendliness and his willingness to get the work done."

Christopher Newman, associate professor of marketing, also witnessed Wakefield’s rise in real time.

“I got to watch him go from sort of this unknown, very likable basketball manager to this national phenomenon almost overnight," Newman said. "Then I got to watch all the opportunities and things that he had come his way outside the classroom. It was really neat to see those opportunities for him and see how he handled it.

 “I know I'm not supposed to play favorites as a professor, but I would probably say that he might be my favorite student of all time. He's just so incredibly likable — huge smile, huge personality."

Wakefield’s story at Ole Miss isn’t over yet. After graduating this spring, he plans to return to campus in the fall to begin graduate studies in integrated marketing communications, further expanding his skills and building on the strong foundation he’s already established.

Looking ahead, Wakefield has ambitious dreams to support others with similar challenges.

"I really want to start my own foundation for children with autism," he said.

When asked about his favorite Ole Miss memory, Wakefield did not hesitate.

“My favorite memory is beating Tennessee on senior night, when the fans stormed the court, and going to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001,” he said. “That was a great time and that was definitely my favorite memory of Ole Miss.”

Top: Kyle Wakefield, a journalism major from Katy, Texas, gained national attention for his spirited court-cleaning moment during an Ole Miss basketball game, but his legacy runs deeper — as an inspiring, resilient student leader who overcame early challenges and became a beloved part of the university community. As he graduates and looks ahead to grad school, Wakefield hopes to uplift others with autism through future advocacy work. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

See more photos from Kyle Wakefield's Journey to Commencement