Jai Royal '24 Recruiting Profile

When asked what drives me, what sets me on fire and what I crave every day, I can say the love of basketball.

Since I was 7 years old, basketball has been my heartbeat. I started playing with the Morristown Recreation Division in New Jersey. As my skill and technique grew, I excelled on AAU teams like the Parsippany Warriors through the Parsippany Athletics League, the Huskies through Hardcore Hoops in East Hanover and now as a starter / greatest defender with the Morris Basketball Program (MBP) in Flanders. I always set realistic goals for myself. However, I surpassed my own expectations when I was selected as a starter for Parsippany Hills High School’s Freshman Basketball team for the 2020-2021 season. As I look towards college, it is my greatest desire to pursue basketball at that level where I’m able to be a valuable asset to my team.

Basketball hasn’t always been kind to me. During the summer of 2019, just a few days into basketball camp, I rolled my right ankle after making a successful layup. After evaluation, X-rays, and MRIs, it was discovered that I suffered a serious injury, which required surgery, time in a cast, a period in a boot and several weeks of physical therapy. Just in time for the basketball season, my orthopedic specialist cleared me to try out for the 8^th grade team. My excitement and energy were high, and I pushed myself to perform at my best, but I didn’t make the team. This was the greatest rejection I had faced in my life. I questioned if I was good enough to play the game, and was worried my injury contributed to me not being able to do what I loved. However, in the words of my parents “Everything happens for a reason. So, maybe God needs you to rest, reflect and strengthen your ankle and spirit.” Even though my heart was broken, I took my parents advice and strengthen everything about myself. Thereafter, with much determination and a lot of extra time on the court at the park, my skills enhanced, and they were recognized by MBP where I joined their middle school team in February 2020. Sadly, I was unable to continue practices or play any games for the Spring season due to the global pandemic, but thankfully I got back on the court with them for the Summer season.

I spend a considerable amount of time playing basketball, but I believe academics are equally important. As an honor student with a 3.70 weighted GPA, my interests span from robotics to social injustice. Since I was a child, I’ve had the native ability to create and build objects. If given the opportunity, I would major in robotics engineering and apply my skills to assisting humanity with common, everyday issues that can be resolved with the usage of robots. In addition, I find enjoyment in advocating for people in the community who are unable to voice their own concerns. I also love debating political topics that impact society as a whole, or underrepresented groups. Therefore, majoring in political science would allow me to position topics that would be a game changer for my generation and those that follow.