Personal Statement
I started playing basketball when I was 3 years old. Since I was young my older brother and older cousins were all a big influence on why I have the love for the game like I do now. Watching them work hard, show passion for the game, and have goals to be the best, shaped how I am today. I've grown and learned many lessons that can help me on and off the basketball court, such as teamwork, communication, and most of all, leadership. I've worked at a daycare over the past two summers and my main job is to teach the kids right from wrong and help guide them on the right path, and for many of them, they look up to me as a basketball player and a mentor and now know at a young age what it takes to achieve your goals. Through basketball, I've become a natural leader with everything else I do, especially in the classroom.
My family and I take education very seriously. I work my hardest to try to keep my GPA above a 3.5 so I can get into a great academic college that will prepare me for life after. My dad has a master’s degree in education and my mom has a doctorates degree in nursing education, so they have raised me to know the importance of a good education. Since I was young, I have always aspired to play at the collegiate level since none of my family members before me has done so, but I won't let that aspiration take away my focus from my education.
There were a couple setbacks that I had to overcome throughout my young basketball career. Because of a growth discrepancy with my legs, I had to get knee surgery when I was 11, 12, and 13. I honestly didn't think I would be the player I am today after I got those surgeries, but now I am faster, stronger, and have overall grown more as a student of the game. Some of my best characteristics on the court are that I am a prolific shooter, above average man defender, and I am frequently told by coaches that I have a high basketball IQ.
I am open to all options but I want to be able to play at the highest level I am capable of. My overall goal is to be an inspiration to the kids that look up to me in and out of school and show them that hard work really does pay off in and out of the classroom.
