Personal Statement
My name is Thomas Graetz and I am from Sydney, Australia.
I am looking to pursue my goal of earning a scholarship to study and play college basketball in the USA.
I am currently a senior at the prestigious academic SHORE School in Sydney, Australia (graduating in Australia this year but in US class of 2024). SHORE offers one of the best academic and basketball programs in the country. I have done very well in my studies and have now received my final academic transcript, achieving a GPA of 3.8.
I would describe myself as a two-way slasher / combo guard. I have high basketball IQ and have made high level representative teams as a point guard and combo guard. I have a 34 inch vertical, and I run the 100 metres in 11.18 seconds. I pride myself in my elite work ethic, training 6 days a week. I am 6’4" (and still growing), which means I have an advantage offensively against most guards and am able to switch and guard multiple positions defensively. I am usually given the assignment of guarding the best player on the opposing team, and I have won the SHORE Defensive Player of the Year Award back-to-back; the first player in the history of the program to do so.
As a student-athlete, I understand the importance of academics and pride myself on maintaining academic excellence. This is reflected in both my transcript and GPA.
In addition, I take part in community and volunteer work within my school, helping younger students with their their tutoring and sporting needs. I have also helped with fundraising for charities, including organising a school-wide initiative to donate basketball shoes and equipment to under-privileged children and communities around the world.
I am viewed as a humble leader both on and off the basketball court, and have been voted as a House Captain at SHORE.
My coaches regard me as very coachable. I am very dedicated and continually seek to learn, ensuring that I embody the best version of myself in every facet of the game. I bring high energy, am the loudest player on the court and the loudest supporter of our team when on the bench.
I view hard work as an essential to achieving success, and I have always dedicated high effort and energy to my game and my studies. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Thomas Graetz
