Anna Neufeld '22 Recruiting Profile

For as long as I can remember, basketball has been an extremely important part of my life. Being in the gym with a ball in my hands has gotten me through some of the most difficult and trying parts of my seventeen years. I started playing basketball when I was in second grade. Most of the basketball I played before the age of twelve was with and against boys. This taught me that I couldn't rely on my height alone to be a strong basketball player. It taught me that sometimes you have to work twice as hard to prove that you deserve what you want, because nothing will be handed to you. Playing with boys also gave me the opportunity to watch my older brother play, which fueled my passion for the game.

Because my dad coached me for the first few years of my basketball career, I quickly began to have fun and pick up what I was being taught. As time went on, especially once I got to high school, it became about more than just fun. In my head, the late nights and early mornings in the gym represented my dedication and love for the sport. My sophomore year of high school I would often get to school early during the season and the school security guard (who ended up being my AAU coach the following year) would let me into the gym where I would shoot free throws and get as many shots as I could up before the first homeroom bell. Even when I am just shooting foul shots at the park with my dad, I cant leave until I feel like my shot is where it needs to be. My dedication and drive are two things that I think make me a good candidate for college basketball. I have always wanted to play basketball at the next level and while there have been times when other interests have taken priority, my genuine love for the game reminds me of what I have been looking forward to since I first picked up a basketball.