Former NBA Player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Inspires VSU Students

Kidd-Gilchrist shares personal journey with stuttering, advocates for greater awareness and access to speech therapy

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist recently delivered a powerful and personal message to future speech-language pathologists at Valdosta State University. Speaking to a class of graduate-level students, Kidd-Gilchrist opened up about his lifelong journey as a person who stutters and his mission to advocate for greater awareness, acceptance, and support. He spoke candidly about growing up without early intervention, navigating a world that often misunderstood him, and pursuing his dream of playing professional basketball despite the communication challenges he faced.

Why it matters

Kidd-Gilchrist's advocacy work highlights the critical need for early intervention and access to speech therapy, especially in underserved communities. His story reinforces the important role speech-language pathologists play in not only developing communication skills, but also building confidence and self-worth in their clients.

The details

Kidd-Gilchrist shared that he did not receive his first speech therapy until he was 18 years old, shocking the students in the room. He emphasized that early intervention is crucial not just for smoother communication, but also for protecting a child's confidence and nurturing their resilience. Kidd-Gilchrist founded Change & Impact Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness around stuttering and improving access to healthcare.

  • Kidd-Gilchrist was part of the gold medal-winning United States team in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Germany in July 2010.
  • After one season with the University of Kentucky, Kidd-Gilchrist was selected second overall in the 2012 NBA Draft to play for the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets).
  • Kidd-Gilchrist played eight years in the NBA, from 2012 to 2020, when he joined the Dallas Mavericks.
  • Kidd-Gilchrist founded Change & Impact Inc. in 2021.

The players

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

A former NBA player who played eight years in the league, and is now a advocate for greater awareness and access to speech therapy, particularly for underserved communities.

Dr. Matt Carter

Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and program director for the Scottish-Rite Literacy Center at Valdosta State University.

Dr. David Slykhuis

Dean of the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University.

Aliyah Ryan

A VSU Master of Education in Communication Disorders student from Augusta, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“This presentation encouraged me to reflect on the important role speech-language pathologists can play in state-level advocacy. As a future speech-language pathologist who plans to work with children, I recognize that many families face barriers to accessing services, and policies like these can help improve access to care. It reinforced my commitment to not only support clients clinically but to also advocate for equitable services.”

— Aliyah Ryan, VSU Master of Education in Communication Disorders student (Valdosta Daily Times)

“Michael travels around and speaks with groups, organizations, and universities about the impact of stuttering on everyday life. His visit enables our students to better understand the stuttering community by interacting with an individual who has lived with and persevered through the difficulties that are associated with a severe communicative impairment.”

— Dr. Matt Carter, Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Valdosta State University (Valdosta Daily Times)

What’s next

Kidd-Gilchrist emphasized the critical, life-changing role speech-language pathologists play, not only in helping people develop communication skills but also in building their confidence and self-worth. He stressed the importance of compassionate, informed intervention and reminded the VSU students that while fluency may be part of the goal, empowering a voice that once struggled to be heard is more important.

The takeaway

Kidd-Gilchrist's story and advocacy work highlight the significant impact that early intervention and access to speech therapy can have on the lives of those who stutter. His message reinforces the vital role speech-language pathologists play in supporting clients' communication skills and overall well-being, while also underscoring the need for greater awareness and policy changes to ensure equitable access to these essential services.