Melissa Cooke '20 Recruiting Profile

I have always been the small player. I feel as though that fuels my fire to go out and perform day in and day out. I have always found the basketball court as a place of release. Nothing besides my teammates, my coaches, and my mentality matter when I step on the court. This place of release has meant a lot to me, especially the last couples of years after losing my cousin. My sophomore year was a huge test to my mental strength and my determination to continue to play basketball. I went out for almost 6 weeks with a broken pinkie, and nothing was harder than sitting on the bench and only getting to watch. I had to tell myself that I was given that time to study the game and improve my basketball IQ. I am blessed to have come back and finished the season with a league championship.

I have been very focused on keeping my grades high and succeeding academically since I was in first grade. I skipped second grade and continued to maintain high academics all throughout elementary, middle, and the first two years of high school. I believe it is important to find a college that satisfies my academics while also allowing me a place to continue playing athletics. I am truly honored to have been named a captain this season, my junior year. I have always prided myself on my leadership, both on and off the court.