Gabriella Yocum '27 Recruiting Profile

I first touched a ball when I was about five years old and after that I've loved having a basketball in my hands. Since the first time I've stepped on the basketball court I've always known that was home from now on. After watching my first college basketball game I knew that I was going to play at that level one day and I've lived by that. I instantly fell in love with the game, and I don't know where I would be without it in my life. I know that playing at the college level is a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity and I aspire to get that experience. 

I am a very versatile player; I know how to and have played all five positions on the court. I have high basketball IQ, strong ball handling skills, I am 100% comfortable with the basketball, I am a consistent shooter, and I finish around the rim well. Yes, these are skills that I have and that help me be successful in basketball but two features of my game that I also display and think are most important are hustle and effort. Everyone has bad games and when I'm having a bad game I depend most on my hustle and my effort because I have the most control of those two aspects. I am a well-rounded athlete as well; I not only play basketball but also play softball and throw shotput and discus in track and field.  I am a natural born leader as well. Furthermore, I strive to lead my team as best as I can every practice and game. Being a good teammate and dependable team leader are two of the most important things to me when it comes to my role on all of my sports teams. I also aspire to not just be a leader on the court but off the court as well. I strive to be the hardest worker wherever I am but especially on the basketball court. I do my very best to give everything I do 110 percent. I am also a very coachable athlete; I do as I am told and pick up on things quickly. I have good court vision and can be successful on both the offensive side and defensive side of the court. My offense and defense both pour into each other, especially after a good play. 

I've always made sure to remember that I am a student-athlete so being a student has always been first priority for me. I push myself hard not only on the court but in the classroom to maintain a high GPA. I make sure to do my best on every test as well as while studying. In addition, I always make time for studying outside of school. 

I would like to attend a college that I am satisfied with at the end of the day and am excited to pursue my basketball and academic career. I expect to continue pushing myself in the classroom and on the court. I want to attend a college that prioritizes studying and athletics. I desire to attend a college program that is the right match for me and is highly competitive. I seek to be a great role model to my piers but also to all the kids that watch my college games in the future hoping to play at the collegiate level one day like I always have. Lastly, I want to make the people that I love proud and the people that have poured their time and knowledge into me.