Paige Myers '25 Recruiting Profile

When I was three years old, one of my preschool teachers told my parents that I displayed leadership qualities. Over the years, I have focused a lot on learning what a leader is. Academically, it means school always comes first (as demonstrated by my rigorous academic load and high GPA), and athletically, leadership means to be humble, dedicated, hard-working, and coachable. Although I’ve been recognized as a leader in both my school and church, it has been in the game of basketball these qualities have been most exemplified. To be a leader on the court, hard work and dedication are key. For me, this is displayed not only in team practices or individual skill sessions, but also in being a student of the game.  One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my dad going to games or breaking down game film at the kitchen table. I take the knowledge I gain from these experiences to become a more versatile player. My coaches appreciate my versatility, and it shows as they use me in a variety of positions on the court. My freshmen year, I was a shooting guard on my varsity team and club team. My sophomore year, my family and I moved to a new school, and I played post for my high school team. In summer basketball, I play point guard.  As a junior, my coach tells me to be prepared to play anywhere, and it is not uncommon for me to play a variety of positions in a single game. Playing diverse roles on the team has helped me develop a strong understanding and appreciation of every position on the court.  It has also allowed me to develop a well-rounded and diverse basketball skill set. 

My favorite part of the game has always been defense, but I am comfortable handling the ball and making decisions in the role of point guard too. I am a team player who believes that the assist is just as important as scoring the basket, but I am also able to drive to the hoop or take the outside shot when needed. One of my proudest basketball accomplishments so far has been taking 17 charges my sophomore year of high school. Although charges are not a stat that often gets a lot of recognition, to me, those charges demonstrate an unselfish player who will do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. This is just one example of how I work hard to become a well-rounded player who can be an asset to my team regardless of my position on the court.

Equally as important as my desire to play college basketball is my drive to develop skills to positively influence the pediatric mental health epidemic. I am passionate about mental health care and moved to advocate for action in response to the rising number of teen depression and suicide statistics. One of my proudest current accomplishments is starting a peer mentorship program at my high school where students are encouraged to use their stories and voices to help each other navigate the stress of high school. Sports have played a significant role in my own mental health journey, and I hope to continue my athletic career in college both because I love to play and because playing basketball will help me afford the education required to make an impact in the field of pediatric mental health.