- 2012-13 Highlights
Personal Statement
Being raised in a home where my parents taught me that putting God, family and getting an education were to be the top priorities in my life has helped me to focus my goals around strong core values. I am looking for a college which fits me academically and athletically. My passion has always been athletics, especially basketball. I am over 6’9” and weigh around 220, and have been told that I should be able to play at 245 lbs. My goal is to participate at a Division 1 level, and then to use my experiences as a coach.
I started playing basketball and baseball when I was 6 years old, and always had coaches who taught the importance of fundamentals. I bypassed the cartoon age and went immediately to watching ESPN’s Sports Center, sports videos and countless games. My Mom was always amazed that, at such a young age, I could converse with my Dad, himself a college basketball player, in detail about game strategy and player stats. I spent countless hours drawing up plays on my Dad’s whiteboard and then running them by him to see if he thought they would work. I was always a gym rat, preferring to spend my time improving on my weaknesses and always being the last one to leave.
I made my high school’s varsity team during my freshman year, moving into a starting position during the mid-season. I scored in double figures during the second game I started and from then on except for a couple of games when I was double and triple teamed. During my sophomore year I averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds per game, shooting 50% from 2 and 40% from 3. Despite two badly sprained ankles during my junior year, I averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot 50% from 2 and 35% from 3. I received All Tournament Team honors during our mid-season tournament and All League AVCTL honors during my sophomore and junior seasons. Also during my junior year, Maize South High School participated in the AVCTL /Wichita City League Challenge. I led the team in scoring and rebounds, helping Maize South to attain the only victory over the Wichita City League schools. I have been described as a PF/SF who can also play some 5. I have played SF with my AAU team because of my 3 point shooting ability.
I was privileged to be asked to play for a local AAU team, Next Level Hoops Academy, during the summers of my sophomore and junior seasons. We have played tournaments in St. Louis, Dallas, Minneapolis and Chicago. I will be participating in July of 2013 in St. Louis, Dallas and Las Vegas.
Varsity sports have helped to teach me about self- discipline, commitment and teamwork. I feel it is very important to be a proper role model and to give back with my time and ability. I have participated in various community service projects, kids camps and am currently serving as one of two selected high school students on a district task force to determine high school placement options for the district’s 6000 students. My goals are to start and contribute to my college team and to have the opportunity to play overseas or for Athletes in Action before beginning my career as a coach, AD or in sports management.
