Zach Sasulu '26 Recruiting Profile

Some of the prominent life experiences I have had are being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and living in Samoa for 18 months. Being an LDS  Church member means that I go to Church with my family every Sunday to renew and remember sacred covenants and solidify my identity as a disciple and son of God. Being in this restored gospel also means that I follow it’s laws and precepts, which means that I strive to live as clean as I can by avoiding alcohol, vaping, pornography and swearing and being chaste. Living in the South Pacific Island of Samoa for 18 months opened my eyes and mind to the culture and life that I am descended from. Samoa is still a very basic, old-school type of country that is still divided into villages, which are then looked after by various levels of chiefs. Participating in ceremonies, rituals, celebrations all helped me to connect with my culture and who I really am, and have made me who I am today.

I started playing basketball with my friends in primary school and was influenced more by my mum who played in her youth for a rep team in Melbourne. Dad was more a rugby guy at the time, but soon learnt the game himself and then helped me grow and learn in basketball.

I have learnt many things about myself through basketball, but most prominent is becoming more connected to my culture and heritage. I represented my Polynesian part of my heritage by playing for Samoa at the FIBA Oceania Championship in 2022(15U) and 2023 (17U). Playing for Samoa is something very important to me and my family. My Dad played rugby union for Samoa, and I followed in his footsteps. Living in Samoa humbled me and taught me to be grateful for everything I have and am, which was largely influenced by playing/teaching/coaching/refereeing basketball among my Samoan people. These experiences have built up my character and identity as a basketball player, older brother, and teammate, and motivated me to be a good example to those around me.

I have faced adversity and opposition, living in Samoa for with my family for 18 months was a major obstacle. Even though it was the most beautiful paradise, basketball competition was played sparingly on the island, and usually short term tournaments, in a gym that had holes in the court in tropical temperatures and 100% humidity. I would think back to my life in Australia where I had a trainer, nice gyms to train at, 3-4 games a week and coaches around to support me. Although it wasn’t what I wanted especially with my aspirations of a basketball career, I had to adjust and over time and switched from a fixed mindset into a growth mindset. I accepted my circumstances, but that didn’t mean giving up on my goals and dreams. So, everyday I would be out by myself on a concrete slab with cracks and sand covering it in the 38-degree sun for hours a day. I told myself that nothing is going to stop me, and to trust the process. This experience humbled me as a person and my character continued to grow and change.

My mum is Australian and my father is Samoan.  I am a problem-solver and can empathise well with other people in group or team situations. I love to learn and apply new skills and feedback to become better, and work smarter not harder. Living in Samoa taught me how to communicate and empathise with people that spoke a language I knew very minimally. I aim to complete a college degree in either business or arts. I need to make sure I have a back up plan post my basketball career.