Meer Lihony '16 Recruiting Profile

I'm a 17 year old Senior currently attending NP3 (Natomas Pacific Pathways Preparatory) Charter School, which is one of the highest rated High Schools in the state of California. I have been playing basketball since I was about 3 to 4 years old, and gradually developed a love for the game, and have now built it up to be a passion. I have played 4 seasons of recreational ball, and 9 going on to 10 seasons of AAU competitive basketball that includes participating in tournaments all over the west coast (LA, Bay Area, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno, etc.). When my freshman year began, my high school decided to cut off our connections with other high schools. Before 2012, NP3 had a contract with other schools in the district to be able to allow its students to be recruited by and play for those high schools with sports programs because of the fact that they themselves never have actually had a program of their own. Students, if qualified, were able to play for another high school's sports team while still attending NP3. But the district ran out of money and financially could not support us any longer, so the contract was compromised. I was very upset because I had always been eager to grow up and play for a high school and become a part of that unity of a high school sports team. Sophomore year, after a lot of thinking, I went to one of my close teachers and proposed an idea of creating an AAU team, composed of players only from our school, to go out and represent the NP3 Pirates in the competitive world. After creating the player-parent contract myself, designing our jerseys, a lot of fundraising, and approval from the principal, I started not only the school's first ever basketball team, but also the first ever sports team of NP3. While constantly working in the gym, I strive even more in the classroom, because my affection and devotion for the game keeps me motivated to excel in school. I have always been able to maintain a high GPA and find that balance between basketball and academics. Teachers have always noticed my potential and higher learning capability than other students, and placed me in either an advanced Math, English, or History class. Grades have and always will come first in my book, because in the end, the degree is what matters most. 

I feel I would be a strong candidate for a college because, even though it's common for people to say, I really do have the work ethic, determination, and drive both in the classroom and on the court to exceed all expectations not only from coaches/ teachers, but most of all, my own. Through the obstacles I have been faced with, it's always been proven that I found a way to overcome them.