Shelby Dudar '17 Recruiting Profile

   It has been my goal to play a sport at the post secondary level ever since I can remember.  I grew up playing almost every sport available to me including fencing, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, cross-country running, horse jumping, soccer, track and field, and of course basketball.  I started playing basketball on a community team when I was eight years old and began playing for my school as soon as I was able to, in grade six. I was awarded Coaches Choice in grade eight and MVP grades nine and ten.  In eighth grade, I started playing for Calgary Storm Basketball Club. This is where I truly fell in love with the game.  I began to thoroughly enjoy the competitive environment and the rewards of hard work.  By the end of the club season I was completely positive I wanted to pursue basketball to the collegiate level. 

   Currently I am in my fourth year of playing for Calgary Storm and my only regret is not joining the program sooner.  The conditioning is hard work but the results are well worth it.  Through playing club I have had the opportunity to be coached by some great coaches.  I have also had the chance to compete in tournaments in Spokane Washington and Garden Grove California.  The United States offers greater and more diverse competition, which is one of the factors that has drawn me towards the goal of playing post-secondary in the states or in Canada.  An additional factor drawing me to the United States is that I have US citizenship.

   One of the opportunities I am most grateful for, is the chance to have competed against local college teams in the fall of 2015.  My club team was able to play in a college preseason tournament and we were able to win two out of three games.  This experience gave me the chance to see, and experience first hand, the level of physicality and skill the next level requires.  

   Outside of playing basketball, I have found a passion for coaching.  I coach once a week at the "standard program" my club offers for younger players.  I thoroughly enjoy teaching the kids and seeing how proud they are when they can accomplish a new drill.  I find it personally rewarding to see them get excited about their success.  I plan to continue on coaching once my playing has completed. 

   While my long-term goal has been to play collegiate level basketball, I do understand this is about more than just basketball. Ultimately, it is about getting a degree and preparing me for the rest of my life.  I know a student athlete must be just as focused in the classroom as on the court.  I am a firm believer in positively representing my school.  Therefore, my attitude on and off the court has always been, and always will be reflective of that.