Junaper Swanson '22 Recruiting Profile

When I was 11 years old, my dad, who was my coach at the time, took a few of my teammates and I to watch the University of Washington's girls basketball team practice. Coach Neighbors’ key players on the team were Kelsey Plum, Chantel Osahor, Hannah Johnson, and Katie Collier. As I watched these outstanding players knock down shot after shot, sprint down the court, and recite their Championship Indicators, I confirmed that basketball is my passion, and if there was any goal I wanted to reach, it was to be exactly like these women. I looked up to Kelsey Plum the most, because she shared my position and jersey number. 

Basketball has been my life since I was 9 years old, but due to my dad being a coach and former player, the reality is I have been surrounded by the sport since birth. I first played in small school leagues, then progressed to youth county leagues, and I am now a high school varsity starter. If I could choose three words to describe this sport, they would be competitive, family, and rewarding. I am extremely driven, and the constant desire to excel and exceed expectations has motivated me to consistently train and improve my skills. My team is my family, and we fight, win, and lose together always. I contribute to great team chemistry because I am constantly pushing my teammates to work harder, exceed their limits, and persevere in their personal goals. Lastly, basketball is an extremely rewarding sport. I have learned through my years of experience that you will only get as much as you put into it. The harder you work, the more success you will experience, but you must have the diligence of a champion. 

What I will bring as a college recruit is talent, a coachable attitude, and passion. From the start of my freshman year, I have been the starting point guard for my high school's Varsity Girls' Basketball team. I have great court vision at all times, and I am able to find my teammates and create plays that help them be in a position to score. My nickname is Dime Dropper, because I am constantly finding and feeding. I can drive and score when needed, but my sweet spot is the three-point shot. I believe being coachable is a key skill for a player to have. One of the UW Championship Indicators is being Receptive to Coaching. A great attitude and growth mindset is essential for a strong player. I am always looking to improve my game, and have been coached by several  different coaches throughout the years, including a retired professional overseas player, a coach and father of a retired NBA player, and my high school coach, who is in the WA State Hall of Fame for coaching. I have an eagerness to learn new techniques and skills. Passion is one of the most important things an athlete should  have. Passion instills drive, which results in focus and determination towards becoming the best player I can be. Basketball is my passion, and has been from the moment I began playing competitively. Coupled with my athletic talent and skill, I am also extremely strong academically. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA for my entire secondary education, and I am part of the Highly Capable Program in my school district. I frequently take accelerated learning courses, and will be a full time student in the Running Start Program at Skagit Valley Community college this fall. As a recruit, you will find that I do not disappoint. I work hard, I listen, I learn, and I consistently move towards the best version of myself.