Samantha Ottinger '20 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing basketball since a very young age. At the age of 8 I began playing for a basketball team at the Center of Elgin. This was my first competitive basketball team. I played for the Center of Elgin until my fifth grade year. That year I began playing competitively for my school, St. Thomas More. There I strengthened my passion for basketball and excelled in sports and academics. I also played for the St. Edward feeder team from fifth to eight grade. My fifth grade year I was asked to move up and play for the sixth grade feeder team. Throughout those years I also did many camps to help improve my game, including Doug Bruno and Judson University. During my 8^th grade year I was invited to play a tournament for an AAU team called the Magic. This was my first time doing AAU, and I both loved and exceled in it. After doing the tournament I decided that next year I would begin my AAU career. After I graduated from St. Thomas I went to St. Edward Central Catholic High School.  

Now that it is my Junior year of high school I have been playing AAU and basketball for St. Edward for two years. I play every basketball game with confidence, passion, and aggressiveness. I have learned so many things from playing basketball and have made many long lasting friendships from it. The biggest thing I have learned is that you have to make many sacrifices for the things you love, and I have done just that throughout the years of playing basketball. As I continue my basketball career I plan to push myself every step of the way and improve everyday through hard work and dedication.