Mariah Ortega-Flowers '15 Recruiting Profile

I currently  attend James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI and will graduate in the spring of 2015. I have a strong desire to compete in Women's Basketball at the college level, so I have started contacting coaches of Women’s Basketball teams at colleges and universities that are strong academic, athletic, and personal matches.  I began playing basketball in elementary school and have grown up watching my uncles who were known as defensive specialist play at both the high school and the collegiate level.

As I enter my final summer as a high school basketball player I am looking to explore possible opportunities to compete in basketball at the collegiate level. I am preparing my self for the next level by playing with the Wisconsin Academy 17 U National team.   As a player, I am a 5’11, athletic, defensive minded player, who has played on the perimeter and on the inside during my career. Offensively, I am an athletic wing player and I have a quick first step on my drive which helps against bigger defenders.  My overall athleticism gives an advantage over most girls my size who are not as quick or able to jump as high as I do.   I also have good vision on my drives and I am able to find open teammates when I draw help.  The biggest asset that I will bring to a team is my solid defensive skills.  In games I use my size and speed to cause deflections and create turnovers.  My coaches use me to guard 4 positions in games against smaller teams.  I am usually assigned to guarding the other team's best offensive player and I enjoy this challenge and working to shut down key players each game.  Additionally, I also am a leader on the court.  I was voted team captain as a Junior.  I work to be a high energy impact player and use my athleticism to make plays on both ends and energize my team, that could be diving on the floor or taking a charge. My goals as an athlete are to maximize my potential and impact on the court through hard work, and dedication

In addition to varsity basketball I also participate in cross country and track and field.  As a three sport athlete I work on speed, strength, stamina and endurance year round and the work has produced results in all of my sports.

As a student, I am interested in studying the fields of Social Work, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and Gender Studies. As a student I will work to excel in my studies and look to be a leader on campus.  I have been involved with various mentorship, leadership and pre-college programs throughout my high school career which have helped me prepare to become a student athlete at the collegiate level. 

As a dedicated athlete and student, I am looking for a school that  will  allow me the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and grow in all facets of collegiate life: personal, athletic, and academic.