Caroline Kasegrande '26 Recruiting Profile

“If you don’t go after what you want, you will never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place.” - Nora Roberts

I heard this quote a few years ago and it impacted me greatly. It captures how I try to approach everything in my life, especially basketball.

My love of basketball began with a “Biddy” clinic at 5 years old. I was the tallest girl in Kindergarten and my job was to rebound, block shots and start the fast break. I focused on learning to box out, rebound, play strong defense and develop a good “nose” for the ball. I knew these skills helped my teams win, but I was driven to do more and become an offensive threat. I started training to work on my offensive skills, both with moves in the paint and perfecting my jump shot. All of this has helped me develop into the versatile player I am today. I primarily play shooting guard and small forward, but I have been called upon by my coaches to play every position on the floor.

I have played for the Staten Island Diamonds, a 30 year old AAU organization in my community, since the fourth grade. I just completed my season in 15U, for which I was named a team captain and started at both shooting guard and small forward. In addition, I often played with the 16U team when needed.

I am entering my sophomore year at Notre Dame Academy. As a freshman, I was named a captain of the JV basketball team and named team MVP by the Catholic High School Athletic Association, leading the team in scoring and rebounding with 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. I train daily, both with my team and my personal trainer, including basketball skills, as well as, strength and agility training. I am very excited about the upcoming season and building on a successful freshman year.

I thoroughly enjoy being part of a team and fully realize that success for any team requires not just individual player abilities but the ability to create trust, respect and “teamwork” between my teammates. As a captain of both my JV team and AAU teams, I love to take on this challenge and be both a leader and role model to push my team to work together, practice hard, compete and unite behind our coach.

Outside of basketball, I apply Nora Roberts instruction to all aspects of my life, my academics, my family, my friends and my community. I am committed to achieving a very successful academic and athletic career in high school, and continuing that same success in college.