What I look for when I am on the basketball court is not only what I can do to help myself but also to help my teammates. One fact I choose to play by is that hustle and effort are contagious. As captain of my freshman basketball team, I had to make sure my team and I never gave up. Striving to improve myself off the court and as a center, every practice and game is how I inspire my colleagues.
Before I joined my AAU basketball team in seventh grade, I didn’t truly value hard work and dedication. Basketball has taught that victory and reward only come with devotion. That new devotion helped me in the classroom too, pushing me to be in the top 10% multiple years in a row as well as eighth-grade student council president. I strive to bring this same devotion to future programs and academics.