- 2021 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
As the only member of my family playing basketball, I've had to adjust and adapt to meet both my families needs as well as my own. Despite this fact, my family and I have bonded in tremendous ways, helping our family grow and stick together through the highs and the lows! A cherished memory of playing basketball with my family inspired me to continue to play. I became attached to basketball at a relatively late age, being 8 years old.
Making the Vogues 2022 National Team my first year of trying out for competitive sports has influenced my motivation and commitment with this sport. The highlights of this AAU experience include finishing Second in the Nation in the year 2017 as well as bonding with my teammates at basketball tournaments. The Vogues 2022 team I was involved with had a record of 84 and 5 for the season we got Second (playing a year or multiple years above grade level). Our team had the connection and energy that is not often seen, helping the team continue to be focused and tough. Although we had this connection, I believe I grew the most after the loss during the AAU D1 Championship game as a player and as well as a person. I was able to realize that any team could be beaten and I must continue to push myself and evolve, leading to the realization that I desired a different path for my experience as a basketball player and person. I ended up taking a year away from joining any team in order to learn who I was becoming and wanted to focus on developing myself as a player and person before the high school season. This duration of time was confusing and challenging because I had to figure out my path I wanted to take, but I knew this was going to help with the development of myself! I trained and learned that I must push myself out of my comfort zone and continue to learn what it means to be a leader, so that I can be a fit for any team. This experience developing myself individually was a much needed experience and is when I realized my desire to play at the college level.
Playing on the high school team is something I am very thankful for and I believe I have built my player role and confidence throughout my first year on the team! I learned how to utilize my skill as time progressed, an example being when I tied the high school record of three pointers made in a single game, being eight as a freshmen. Playing throughout all these years, I've realized that I have a specific skill above all others, being shooting. I have always been the "shooter" on any team I have been and will continue to embrace that skill, as well as others. I've developed myself as a team player and have adapted to any role that was needed, whether it would be a passer, shooter, defender, or an overall hustle player. As time progresses, my training will continue as well, developing my attributes, leadership, and maturity which will help me play at any level of college.
I am looking for a program that will be a good fit for me as an athletic player and academically as well. I understand that I have a lot to learn but am willing to do whatever it takes to continue to learn and advance. I believe that I have the attributes to play with a college team, as well as the personality, work ethic, academic motivations, and the leadership to make an instant impact on your program. As a motivated player, I believe I have it takes to be a leader and impact player on your team.
