Logan Tharp '25 Recruiting Profile

From the time I was a little kid playing NBA 2K on my Xbox 360 to now, trying to achieve my dream of playing in college, basketball has been the thing I love more than anything else. Although I have had my challenges, something continues to bring me back to the game—a force pushing me to be the best I can be. Growing up, I was told I was too heavy, too slow, and not good enough, over and over again. Yet, I continued to play. If anything, the doubt made me want it more. Fueled by delusion, I put my head down and began to grind.

And now, three years after making my first team, I still want it just as bad. The grind hasn’t gotten any easier; in fact, it got harder. In October, before the season began, I suffered a major ankle sprain, where I completely tore two ligaments and partially tore two, which sidelined me for 12 weeks. After seemingly endless physical therapy and sitting, enviously watching my teammates, I was released. I was sent to JV, but I didn’t care; I was just excited to come back to playing. My first two games back were actually some of the best games I’ve played. But like everything, what goes up must come down. After the newness and excitement subsided, the reality settled in. I was too slow. I had lost all my explosiveness. No matter how hard I tried to bring it back, I had no success. I began to question myself and my ability. In that questioning, I challenged my love. I didn’t know if it was worth it to keep pursuing basketball. Through my reflection, I rediscovered it. I found the grind again. The grind became my therapy.

Little did I know, my injury was a good thing. I became a student of the game. I see the court much better than ever before. I improved my speed and explosiveness. What I once thought was a setback was actually a comeback. Now, here I am, doing what everyone has told me is impossible. Thank you for your time; I can’t wait to meet you.