Larissa Daigle '23 Recruiting Profile

Making it to the Northern Maine playoffs last season and playing on a college court in front of a crowd of people was the highlight of my career so far. As a team, we set a goal for ourselves to make the playoffs and we dedicated our season to meeting that goal.  I put everything I had just to succeed at that goal and it happened. I've always been independent in basketball. Ever since I was little, I would work on the game by myself. I would sometimes have my parents get rebounds for me or a friend play a game of HORSE with me. As I grew a little older, my friends and I would play pickup games at our town's college or the town park, but I still would do individual work by myself.  The extra time and individual effort has helped me grow and develop into a dedicated and skilled basketball player.  I've had to overcome many obstacles to get where I am now. The biggest one was from third grade to seventh grade when I played on an Aroostook Youth Basketball League travel team. The coaches believed that everyone needed equal playing time, so each player would get three minutes of playing time, then three minutes of break on the bench.  I didn’t get much playing time, so my skills and development were somewhat stunted.  Then in middle school, I barely played. My coach didn't see much potential in me; he only liked my dribbling skills. Because I enjoyed practicing and learning on my own, I was able to develop my skills throughout these trying times.  With these experiences, I not only developed my basketball skills and became a more well-rounded player, I also became mentally and emotionally stronger.  As eighth grade came around, I was chosen to be on the "better" team and everyone saw my potential and knew I could go far. I also was able to practice with the high school team in eighth grade and the coach told me I was already next year's varsity point guard. I couldn't let him down so I started going to the Crossfit gym for strength training. I would also get in the gym almost everyday to get shots up and work on handles. Freshman year, I went to my first PGC basketball camp. I was nervous but enjoyed it so much that during these last four years I've gone to one every year. I have also gone to a college exposure camp. These experiences have impacted my game of basketball by exposing me to collegiate basketball players and coaches. Leadership is very important to me on and off the court, I have learned to focus on the things that will make me a better leader for my teammates and I and in the game and in general out of the game. For all three years, I have been starting varsity point guard and as a sophomore I was honored to be captain. I believe I would be an asset for a team that is willing to help me grow as an athlete. I am definitely different from many athletes. I am dedicated to the sport and will never compromise or give up.