Personal Statement

At 12 years old, I walked into Washington Park, nervous and unsure. I had never really played basketball before, but it was right across the street from my house, and I had nothing else to do. Inside, a whole bunch of Black kids were hooping, and even the staff played with us, keeping us off the streets. I watched the older kids—they were tough, skilled, and competitive—so I started learning from them. Once I got into it, my mom signed me up to be a regular there, and I began showing up every day, putting in work. Even when Washington Park burned down and COVID-19 shut everything down, I kept dribbling on my back porch, doing the same drills over and over. By sophomore year, I decided to take basketball seriously, pushing myself to get better. I still remember the words that stuck with me: “Ain’t nothing out here but guns, drugs, jails. You should stick to hooping. You’re gonna be a dog.” That was all the motivation I needed—basketball became more than a game. It became my way forward.

Trying out for my first real basketball team was nerve-wracking. I felt anxious before every game, overwhelmed by the pressure of playing in front of big crowds, and afraid of getting subbed out for making a mistake. But I didn’t quit. Organized basketball was different from what I was used to—there were rules, referees, and coaches I had to listen to. At first, it was frustrating because I didn’t know the things I needed to know. I wasn’t used to following strict expectations, but over time, I grew more disciplined. Playing at North Grand as a sophomore was my first real experience on a team, and I was learning new things, but I struggled with my nerves. Instead of talking about it, I kept everything to myself. That changed junior year when my seminar teacher Ms. Pagán introduced us to basketball player Kevin Love’s story about mental health. He wrote about how the problems he faced off the court affected his game, and I realized I had been dealing with the same thing. That’s when I decided to start therapy. Step by step, I worked on my mental health, learning mindfulness skills and ways to manage anxiety. Basketball wasn’t just about skill—it required discipline, focus, and a strong mindset. As I kept training, bettering my mental health, and trying out for teams, I built more confidence, both in my game and in myself.

There were a lot of opportunities that I could have taken to get into trouble on the streets, but I kept telling myself “Stay in basketball and be a leader.” There is so much more to this world than being on the streets and having to look over your shoulder and worry about yourself or your family getting harmed. I always try to encourage others to do good, and one way I do this is by setting an example. I stay disciplined, I keep my grades up, and I spend my time focusing on what matters: family, school, basketball, and my mental health.

After high school, I want to go to college to study finance and play college basketball. My ability to persevere and stay focused will help me be successful in college and beyond. I want to be an inspiration to others and show them that they can change their life at any moment. It is okay to start over, to change your priorities into healthier ones, to overcome your fears, to go to therapy, and to take a leap to reach your fullest potential.