I began playing organized basketball in third grade at the local YMCA. Throughout the years, as I played on local travel teams, AAU teams, and school teams, my passion for the sport grew. It was in my 7th grade year that I experienced a great disappointment. I was cut from my school team. This experience was devastating. I now had a choice to either give up or compete. I listened to the advice of the coach on how I could improve, and I made a commitment to myself to develop my skills to make the team next year. I was also fortunate to have my father, a former college basketball player, work with me and support me in becoming a better player.
Getting cut from the team was not my first time facing a difficult challenge. In my early, elementary school years, I had difficulty learning to read and was diagnosed with dyslexia. After three years of intense tutoring and the support of my mother, an educator, I was able to overcome my reading struggles. This taught me that effort equals results. I use this belief on and off the court.
In 8th grade, my efforts paid off, and I made the team, and, in 9th grade, I was asked to play up from the freshman team to the JV team. Last year, I helped lead our JV team to a 17-3 record and was the leading scorer on the team. Along with being successful in basketball, I was able to finish my sophomore year with a 3.3 GPA which I was most proud of out of all my achievements.
I'm looking for a program that will be a good fit for me academically as well as athletically. I believe I have the talent to compete for a college team, and I possess the character and work-ethic to make a significant impact to your program.