Abby Decker '21 Recruiting Profile

Hello! My name is Abby Decker, and I am a 5’10’ junior attending The Prairie School in Racine, Wisconsin. I am taking a college prep course of study, including Mandarin and Advanced Placement classes, and currently have a 3.8 GPA.  I am a dual sport varsity athlete--a starter and captain in both volleyball and basketball--however, basketball has always been my passion and main focus. 

I participated in my first organized basketball league at the age of eight in Shanghai, China, and I was hooked. Even before that very young age, however, I was learning my fundamentals, my knowledge, and my love of the game in my driveway with my Dad, a former high school player. I realized how much I loved and valued playing basketball last spring when I injured my foot and was unable to play my entire club basketball season. I now appreciate even more the time I spend both practicing and playing.

But basketball is not just a game to me. I believe basketball has helped shape me into the person I am today. It  has, for example, helped me become a leader on and off the court. My leadership on the basketball court has transferred to my school life, where I am a part of student government as one of four elected representatives for our class. Basketball has also taught me how to handle stressful situations, both on and off the court. As a student and athlete, time management is always stressful, but, because I value them both, I have learned to balance my schedule and to work very hard in the classroom as well as on the court, always trying to push myself to the next level in both. Finally, as part of a team, I feel very strongly about the value of working together for the benefit of everyone, and that has inspired me to give back to my community.  Although sports and school consume much of my time, I make sure there is room in my schedule to regularly volunteer at St. Monica’s, an assisted living facility in my town. There I enjoy engaging with the residents by painting their nails and listening to their life stories and the wisdom of the lessons they have learned. 

When I graduate from high school, I hope to continue competing and learning and volunteering. My ideal university would be one where I can get an excellent education, compete in a sport that I love, and continue to be of service to my college community.  

Thank you.  

Abby Decker