Kylie Kuhn '22 Recruiting Profile

As a basketball player, I have an uncommon, yet unique story that I feel distinguishes me from other athletes. When I was 8, soccer was my focus. At 9 it was dance, and at 10 I was a full-time gymnast training up to 5 hours a day. At 11 years old I focused on karate. This list goes on…. Little did I know that as a 7th grader, during my first year playing basketball, I would make it all the way to the New York State free throw finals at West Point and win the competition for my age group by sinking 23 out of 25 free throws. This began my love for basketball. From that day on, I lived every day with the aspiration to play women's basketball at the collegiate level.

Since I tried various sports while I was young, I felt I had to catch up to my peers who have played only one sport: basketball. I worried that I was behind their pace, so in 7th grade, I began training myself every day. I was driven and knew that anything was possible if I put my mind to it and stayed focused. My determination encouraged me to train harder. My work ethic paid off when I was brought up to varsity basketball and varsity lacrosse as an 8th grader. My varsity basketball coaches took me under their wing and continued to bring out the best in me. Their mentoring and guidance continued to push me beyond my limits by encouraging me to be a leader on the court. I developed a strong passion and love for both sports and thrived athletically and academically. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade I only had two things on my mind: school and sports. Every day I woke up early with determination and a standpoint to improve myself in everything I do.

During my freshman year, I ran cross country to build endurance during my offseason and was named All-County, All-League, All-Division, Scholar-Athlete, and Team MVP. For my freshman basketball season, I earned All-County, All-League, Scholar-Athlete, and Team MVP. Sophomore year, I earned All-Country, All-League, Team MVP, League MVP (averaged 18.7 points per game, making me the 5th leading scorer in Suffolk County), Suffolk County Womens Basketball Association Player of the Year nominee, Scholar-Athlete, and was named team captain. I was then selected to play in the BCANY (Basketball Coaches Association of New York)  games and the Alzheimer's classic. I was named Unsung Hero and Scholar-Athlete for my high school lacrosse team. 

I am focused and thrive to be physically and mentally challenged both in the classroom, on the athletic field, and most specifically on the basketball court. Aside from Varsity basketball, I have played on intramural and travel teams over the past 3 years. Presently, I play on an AAU team, which allows me the opportunity to compete against the best players across the country, preparing me for the collegiate level.

I am hardworking, dedicated, and feel as if I have an unmatched work ethic which I have shown since 7th grade. Being a tri-sport athlete taught me how to properly train, eat well, how to recover, and how to grow strong both mentally and physically. My incredible endurance and strength allow me to outplay my opponents. I enjoy being a team player and have grown as an individual from the lasting friendships that I made with my teammates and coaches over the years. Nevertheless, despite my personal achievements thus far I enjoy making plays that allow my teammates to shine and excel. Playing as a team builds character, strengthens trust and confidence in one another's ability, and talents to succeed as a team.

I have a mystifying passion for learning. I have always taken school and my grades seriously. I wake up every morning with a desire to maintain an exceedingly high GPA throughout my high school career. In addition, I also spend lots of time doing community service. In the last three months during the coronavirus pandemic, I have spent 47 hours making online slide curriculums and video calls for elementary and middle school students who are not fortunate enough to have mentors to help them with their schoolwork. With these traits that I possess, I would consider my determination, leadership, and work ethic matchless. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my personal statement!

Kylie Kuhn     Deer Park High School, NY     Class of 2022