Aaron Ballard '24 Recruiting Profile

I am Aaron Ballard.  A Magnet Student, NJROTC Cadet, and Athlete.  

I grew up in a military family where good order, discipline, and the expectation of achieving your next level of greatness were requirements.  

I am very competitive and committed to basketball and playing at the collegiate level.

I grew up loving basketball.  I have had the privilege to live and play organized basketball in southern California, Las Vegas, and overseas while stationed in Japan and Guam.  I have been fortunate to play for and learn the game of basketball from a very diverse group of coaches. 

Though basketball and my love for it will take me to extraordinary places, I fully understand that my attitude and aptitude will catapult me to a level of sustainment in life long after playing basketball is behind me.  When it comes to colleges and universities, my options are many.  I desire to remain on the west coast - specifically California and Arizona however, I am open to attending any school, regardless of location, committed to academics just as much as they are to athletics.  My ideal schools would offer majors in Education or host a Navy ROTC Unit.

Academically, I am enrolled in my high school's advanced learning program - Magnet Program - Teach Academy.  I am currently in the top 13 percentile of my graduating class (100 of 729), enrolled in all honors courses, and taking dual credit classes with UNLV.  Additionally, I am a Cadet Officer in my NJROTC Battalion where I am directly responsible for the growth and development of 25 Cadets and served as a key and essential leader in achieving our 2021-2022 Distinguished Unit Award.

Athletically, I am still growing, and I never quit or give up at the first sign of stress or difficulty.  I fit well in any system but prefer a high pace offense.  I know how to make the extra pass when necessary; I can run the pick and roll well, play as a 3&D guard, and emphasize earning points off turnovers.  I am always willing to learn how to improve, and I am a team player who always tries to inspire my teammates to improve every aspect of their game.  I am not a loud person, but I will not hesitate to speak up and let my teammates know if they are wrong and correct them.  If my teammates are right, I offer encouraging support and applaud them - even when it is not popular or fully supported within the locker room.  I have always felt like a leader on and off the court, and I do my best to get others involved to support the coach's vision.  

I am Aaron Ballard; a Student, NJROTC Cadet Officer, and Athlete.  You will always be able to find me on the extra mile because on the extra mile - there are no traffic jams.