Springsky Chee '23 Recruiting Profile

My collegiate goals are to continuing to play college basketball and receive my engineering degree. Later in my future, I also plan on becoming a World Champion Barrel Racer and Breakaway Roper.  In the summer of 2022, I made a life changing decision by taking the initiative to further my endeavors in the academic arena and extracurricular activities. I left my Four Corners home (Navajo reservation/Colorado) and my family.  I traveled 2039 miles to Florida to attend IMG Academy.  My goal at IMG was to learn more about the game of basketball.  I have the desire to continue my basketball career and using it in a positive way.  I will  be that one female, that Indigenous young girls or all young girls, look up to, and say, "I want to be like Springsky Chee."  I also want the world to drive my vehicles that I will create as a mechanical engineer. 

Because I am very competitive, I am a person who focuses on a goal(s) and practices until I succeed.  I am a very quick defensive player and love to challenge myself to steal balls without fouling.  I am a shooter, 3 point shooter to be precise and an experienced buzzer beater.  I also have experience handling the ball under pressure.  Most importantly, I am coachable and will ask a lot of questions to make sure I am doing what I'm suppose to do, correctly.  Attending two different schools and residing in the dorm my whole four years of high school, I have learned to take care of myself,  being mature, responsible, and able to adjust to my environment.  Regardless of being on a totally different team, the girls at IMG, became my family; my sisters. In my Navajo culture we practice K'e, which means making tight family connections.  This experience gave me family from Russia, Ukraine, Canada, and across the US.  I learned that in order for our team to succeed in our game of basketball, we must learn to understand each other, which leads to taking care of one another in and out of the court.   

This year, I am a freshman at Penn State Hazleton. I enjoyed the season with the coaches, teamates, and staff. I was given the opportunity to play at the collegiate level and gained great experience for my first year. Moreover, the collegiate environment has provided fertile ground for personal and professional development. Collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds has not only enriched my learning experience but also instilled in me the importance of teamwork and effective communication. From leading student organizations to volunteering in community service projects, I've embraced opportunities to hone leadership skills, cultivate empathy, and make a positive impact on the world around me. I have learned to drive and gain confidence in shooting more,  along with communication towards my teammates and coaches.  

I am a young Native American/Indigenous woman who exercises her Navajo culture on a daily basis. That being said, I was taught to be very observative and quiet, that is, until I get to know a person.  I'm always willing to share my culture and learn about other cultures as well. I love to learn and I enjoy being challenged.  One point that has always stuck in my head is that, "I am a student first, athlete second."  I'm pretty easy going and love to laugh, however, once I put on my game face, I am a whole different person. This not only applies to basketball, but to Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping as well.  One thing I need you to know is that I am a human being, I make mistakes, nonetheless, I learn from them and do my best to get my game on and stay on my academics; I have the desire to play the game of basketball.