Andrew LaVigne '24 Recruiting Profile

Aristotle once said that "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." My name is Andrew LaVigne and my passion is basketball. I am currently a Senior at South Paulding High School.  I am the middle child of the family. When I was younger my parents believed in putting us in every sport we wanted to try and letting us decide what sport we loved. And well, if you are like me, you love them all. However, my body did not agree. You see, one day I was playing baseball and the next I was in the ER with hives and breathing issues and a diagnosis of Asthma.  I found out that I was allergic to grass, pollen and well a host of other items. The doctors basically said, "Asthma is controllable but he is so severe that he will probably never be able to play like he wants to without issues." Now you might wonder what sets me apart from others.  Well, it was that day that my mom looked at me and said, " Now let's try basketball!' See I was raised to never take the easy road. I mean, ok so I can't breathe at 100 percent like everyone else, well I can breathe so what am I going to do with the breath God gave me. Put my trust in him and know that I am strong enough to overcome anything! So, my journey to play basketball began and I have never looked back.  That was in 4th grade and now here I am. A High school freshman who if you ask me in my opinion has lungs of steel. After a few specialist appointments we discovered that my body produces too many white blood cells in my lungs, and I went on a new medicine that basically curves the numbers. Looking at me today you would never know that I at one point couldn't run without gasping for air, and now I can run a mile in 6 minutes and 30 seconds. Ok, so now I bet you are wondering why I started with that story and quote. Well, I was asked what makes me different and the answer is heart! 

Heart can make or break a player. What you feed your body, emotionally and physically can determine tomorrow's outcome. I give 100 percent of myself on and off the court. What is that old saying my AAU coach preaches? What you do in the dark, always comes out in the light. Well, for me that's giving 100 percent of my effort, talent, and heart in not only a sport that saved me but, in my education, too. I currently am number 23 in my class and hold a 4.0 GPA. I put that same effort on the court in the classroom.  I want excellence and that isn't achieved over night. It is earned through hard work and determination. It is gained daily by working both on and off the court. Even when no one is watching. That is what that quote means to me. 

What sets me apart? By now you know that I have heart and determination, but what I think truly sets me apart is that I am willing. Willing for what you ask? Willing to learn and adapt to whatever you need on the floor. After all, Basketball is a team sport.  " One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team" (Kareem Abdul Jabbar)  I am that one ingredient.  You need shooting guard, I got you, you need defense like no other, I got you. You need a guard, I got you. That's really what the sport is about right? Reading what the team needs in the play and then working as a unit to accomplish the goal. My goal is to always win while being coachable and humble. We all make mistakes- its what you do with the mistake that sets you apart. Make up for it, go hard.   That's what can take you to the next level. 

My goal is to compete and grow in the sport I love while gaining my education so that I can become an Electrical Engineer.  If you have made it this far and invested time in me,  let me say Thank you, and invite you to come out and see how I can invest in your program and school! 

With much respect and prayer,

Andrew LaVigne