Camylle Balderree '20 Recruiting Profile

My name is Camylle Balderree, but family and friends call me Camy. I have always loved being active growing up, participating in any sport. I did everything and anything as long as I had my hair pulled back and had good competition. I found that my heart fell to one sport in particular.  I can tell you that it is not defined by one moment or miracle. It is the small and simple things that bring me more love for the game in my heart and soul. It is a love that no one or thing can take away from me. Basketball simplified the challenges of life, allowing me to express myself in a way that I could grow the most. When life would get hard, it remained the only constant. It has always delivered when life would fall short, bringing me the most happiness I have experienced. It has been the ultimate teacher. Basketball has taught me who I am and who I want to become. Despite the failures and pains, it is all worth it. I have become better because of the hardships both as an athlete and a person. Basketball teaches you to get back up even when no one believes in you. I play basketball for the love of the game and to get better, constantly trying to get to the next level. The mentality this sport brings to all aspects of my life has taught me to find something beyond myself, giving me the strength to keep striving past my limits. Because of the adversity, I find the greatest victories. A huge blessing of being an athlete is being able to help people. For example, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a humanitarian trip to Africa in the summer of 2018. We did hard labor to finish the project of building an orphanage. Everything we did was physically demanding but because I do play basketball and am an athlete, I had the ability to do everything from running and playing with the kids at schools to carrying one hundred pound bags full of cement mix. I am grateful that I could use my athleticism to help people in need across the world. Another opportunity I have been given is to train the youth in speed/agility and basketball in my community. I love giving confidence to young kids, telling them that they can do anything they set their mind to, and have the ability to work hard. I’m grateful basketball has given me these ways to serve.

Among my favorite things to do on the court is to work hard. My best strength is shooting. I shot 3,000 shots a week this past summers of 2017 and 2018 and still get 1,000 repetitions during high school basketball season, all practicing game-situations, footwork, quick release, technique, and mentality. My record for 3-pointers made out of 100 is 86. I love and have strength in my ball handling. I have worked all my youth and teenage years to become a good, strong ball handler. I understand the importance of being able to handle the ball in basketball. I love getting assists, creating opportunities with my teammates on the court. I attack hard but am composed. The game has a lot of physicality and aggression that I love being a part of.

Going to the college level has always been something I work towards and dream of. I want to keep getting better with no fear of failure or success. I know I will keep growing and learn more at a collegiate level of basketball. I love learning new ways and being able to do things I couldn’t do before. Playing college basketball opens so many doors of opportunities and I would love to be able to experience the benefits that come from basketball of a college level both on and off the court.