Darren Lee '23 Recruiting Profile

Looking forward to a fulfilling college experience where I can learn, contribute, and obtain a balanced growth across academics, social, and athletics. While on campus, I plan to explore the fields of science and technology.

Since 6 years old and outside of normal school activities, I've competed regularly on Junior USTA tournament circuits in Southern California, having reached within top 200 and top 50, for Boys 14 Singles and Boys 14 Doubles Jr USTA SoCal rankings, respectively. As past Champions to 10 of my last 18 tournaments since 2017 (age groups 12Under through 18Under, both Singles & Doubles), and ranked 19 on Lotto Elite's Boys Hot 100 listing (as of Oct 2021), I've been invited to two prior Satellite Masters level 4 tournaments, and competed among other champions. Additionally, I've competed in 2 seasons of Junior Team Tennis with my teammates, playing as our team's #1 Singles in SoCal sectional championships while traveling to campuses at College of the Desert/Palm Springs and University of San Diego.  Also, having played in past Varsity & Junior Varsity singles positions for our Timberwolves' Boys Tennis Team, I'm currently an 11th grader High School Junior studying STEM subjects (virtual AP classes outside of High School), and will continue to focus on Computer Science/Tennis while in college.

Certainly, results do matter and that’s what counts in the end, but the journey to getting there is by far what I believe makes things matter even more, which shapes me as a better athlete, and as an individual. My game, among the highly competitive juniors, may not come with the biggest serves, the sharpest put-away volleys, or those aggressive ground strokes, but I’ve grown up capitalizing on my “even keel” attitude on the courts, as I don’t get easily worked-up or emotional, when either ahead or behind in matches. Those “wins” are good, but every loss I experience, I’ve taken them in, worked on them with coaches Nick and David, and continued to focus on doing better the next time. When under pressure, I’m always looking for those positives to keep me in the game, even when things aren’t quite going my way, and continually work as a team and with my doubles partner. Tennis, as a sport, continues to teach me well and of life overall. Besides playing and living in a tennis "rich" mecca, I've enjoyed annual events watching pros and collegiate players compete, at Indian Wells BNP Paribas, Oracle Challenger Series in Newport Beach, CA, and others.

Beyond my busy tennis and school schedules, I'm an avid competitor with my friends and teammates on Fortnite Solos, Trio Arenas, and Trios Cash Cup tournaments, having participated up to 10 events in the last two years, reaching within top 1,000 standings for NA West Region. In short, competition has become a normal part of my day.

If and when offered a chance to pursue my studies as a student athlete, I plan to devote extra time and attention to work diligently towards our team goals, continue to mature and excel my overall game, and become a trusted player and competitor for my team and coach. 

Thank you!  Darren