Harold Perez '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Harold Sebastian Perez. I am a native Puerto Rican, living in the mainland, working hard to fulfill my dream to become a surgeon and a professional basketball player.  In my case, it would be difficult to mention only one person that has inspired me, since throughout my life I have been inspired by many people.  

I can say that the common denominator of all the people that inspire me have, is discipline, passion, and that they worked hard to accomplish their goals.

For instance, Steve Jobs, he inspired me, when he said, "I want to follow the beat of my own drum even if it is "out of tune." Many people told me NBA is an almost impossible dream and when combined with a medical degree it is even more, nonetheless I choose to follow the beat of my own drum.

I am inspired by various sports leaders and I would like to mention just a few.  Let me start with Roberto Clemente.  Roberto was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player.  Not only did he succeed as a baseball player, but he also inspired others to lend a helping hand. I can also share that another inspiration in the sports world is Mr. Jim Abbott.  Even though Jim was born without a hand he was a golden medal winner in the 1988 Olympics and professional player.  Jim didn’t allow his disability to become an impairment to meet his goal and with hard work and dedication succeeded.  It shows me that I need to overcome any set back and work hard to become each day a better player and person.

Last, I should mention Michael Jordan; as we all know, Jordan was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.  What has inspired me the most about him, is that he was able to be an accomplished former NBA player despite of getting cut from his high school basketball team.  He wasn’t even given the opportunity while in school to demonstrate the talent that he had, and this required for him to work even harder and focus even more to become a six-time championship winner in the NBA.  Michael Jordan's history teaches me that to fulfill your dreams you need to work hard and don't give up.

Since, I was a little boy I have enjoyed sports and music. I played soccer, ran track and field, and played basketball, also I enjoy singing and playing the guitar. Even though I like all of them, I fell in love with basketball and since then I've practiced every day to become better. My biggest dream is to become a professional basketball player and study medicine at a good university. I am also inspired by my grandfather, since he was part of my love for science, and nowadays, he is suffering from Alzheimer.  My grandad illness has inspired me to study medicine, which will allow me to be a part of research studies that can grant me an opportunity to find a cure for such oppressive illness. In addition, I was born with cleft palate and my surgeon inspire me, not only in the medical aspect but in the personal support as well.  Finally, I am inspired by my parents, ever since I wanted to pursue my basketball dream, they have sacrificed a lot to help and support me, they even helped me move to the mainland a huge change, to become part of an elite basketball travel team. I am very blessed, and I am looking forward to fulfilling my dreams, reason why I am applying for this scholarship.