Roshan Bal '16 Recruiting Profile

The 4 most important aspects of my life are athletics, academics, community service, and my family and friends.  Basketball has taught me lessons that help me in every one of these facets of life.

Athletics are a big part of who I am.   I am a physically active person and basketball is the main way I stay active during the year.  My coaches throughout my basketball career have emphasized the importance of physical fitness, discipline, sacrifice and hard work.  As a 6’3”, 2 or 3, I can hit 3 pointers, midrange jump shots and drive to the basket.  I have learned to play and value defense as much as offense from my high school and AAU coach, Mani Messy, a former Seton Hall and European League player.  I can block shots, make steals and keep up with the quickest offensive players.   My speed has been honed by my participation in track as a 400M and 200M runner.  My Pinewood High Basketball team has been a Central Coast Section D5 Champion in my freshmen and sophomore years.  My speed, scoring ability and defensive prowess would make me an asset to your team.

               Academic excellence is central to my plans for the future.  I enjoy mathematics and science immensely.   I seek out any type of intellectual challenge.  This year I am taking AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP US History, AP Calculus, and AP Spanish along with Honors Literature.  My goal is to eventually become a physician and I think that this type of preparation and hard work should serve me well in the future.  Basketball has taught me that to do your best you must test your limits.  That lesson has carried over into my academic life.

               Another lesson I gained from basketball is to be selfless and to take pride in helping others.   On the court I know that every point scored is due to the efforts of each member of the team.  I get as much satisfaction from making an assist as I do from scoring myself.  Over the last 2 years I have volunteered at the Sub-Acute Hospital in Saratoga Ca.   This is a hospital for children with traumatic injuries that require around the clock monitoring and care.   I read to the kids and play games with them and just generally try to brighten up their days.  Every time I visit the hospital I am reminded how unimportant my problems in life are and how much of a positive impact I can make on people by volunteering my time.  The team aspect of basketball has taught me to derive pleasure from helping others.

               Finally my basketball teammates have become like a family to me.   I have known many of my AAU and high school teammates since 6th grade.  We give our all for each other on the court and help each other off the court as well.   Basketball has also given my family a lot of great travels and experiences over the years.   Basketball has provided many occasions for family bonding. My coach is like a big brother to me.  He has shaped, in many ways, the type of young man that I have become.   I am thankful for my extended basketball family.

               As you can see basketball has shaped every aspect of my life.  Basketball has given me a venue in which to express and refine my athletic ability.  Basketball has inspired my quest for excellence in academics as well.  Basketball has taught me to give of myself to others and has given me an extended support network.  I certainly hope that I can continue this journey in college.   Even if it ends here in high school I feel like a winner because of all the great things I have learned playing basketball.