Personal Statement

Mac Hagemaster

815-412-0214

bigmac_54@icloud.com

https://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/athletes/5698703

Twitter: @HagemasterMac

Instagram: @mac_hagemaster5

When I was 8 years old I met Digger Phelps in the restaurant at the Morris Hotel on the campus of Notre Dame.  He said to me, "Young man if you keep working at your craft you will definitely be tall enough."  He took one look at my parents and knew that I was going to be the big man in the middle. 

Recently one of the Illinois Prep Hoops blogs reported about me being the most underrated underrecruited player in my position. I’m not the top point getter or the shining offensive star in the state of Illinois. I don’t have to be the star of the team, I don’t have to be the top point getter, I don’t have to have the show stopping moment. Maybe next year my role will change on my High School team, BUT what I do have to do is be there for my teammates. I do need to be there to encourage, assist, be a huge body in the middle, and help everyone on the court to be better. I am very strong at defense, steals, passes, rebounding, assists, and I average 6 to 10 points a game.

Currently, being strong on defense is what my coaches want of me.  We have three seniors on our team that are strong shooters and they average 16 - 30 points per game... BUT why do they get those points?  Because I'm there opening the lane for them, or getting the rebound and dishing it out to them.  My coaches will tell you when I'm on the floor everyone plays better!  When I’m off the court, even though I try to encourage from the sidelines, our scoring slows down, and we can come close to losing the lead. 

Talent isn’t enough to be a great basketball player.  Don't get me wrong you have to have talent but to me it is more than that... I must have humility and do whatever the team needs me to do. I need to appreciate the strengths of my teammates and highlight those strengths. Lastly it is important for me to be willing to learn from my coaches and teammates, and hopefully that will rub off on my other teammates.

My parents instilled in me at a young age to remember when I’m on the court to “Smile this is FUN!” I have found when I put a smile on my face, talk with my teammates, assist them with playing their game and where they need to be on the court, my game is better and so is theirs. And when their game is better so is mine.  They have also instilled in me that I have to be smart on and off the court!!  I work at my grades, I take all AP and honors classes and I hope to either work in the field of Chemistry, or become a statistical analyst.  But deep down in my heart I do believe I am going to be a coach in some way, whether it be with young kids or work my way up the coaching ranks in college.  

I am determined to play basketball at the highest level.  I work hard, I practice daily.  I am currently a 2 sport varsity athlete in High School.  As a freshman I was brought up to the Varsity Volleyball team where we placed fourth in the state, last year as a Sophomore we placed 2nd.  I play Volleyball to help me with my hops for basketball.  I also want to work with different coaches, see how they coach and make sure that I am a coachable athlete.  

So, with all that said, I hope that you will take time to look at my NCSA account, my Twitter, my Instagram. Teams need a player like me! I will make your team better. I will work hard, and look forward to learning from you, all your coaches, and my teammates.

Attached is my game schedule, twitter, Instagram, and NCSA account.

I look forward to hearing from you and I wish you a great season,

Mac Hagemaster

815-412-0214

bigmac_54@icloud.com

https://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/athletes/5698703

Twitter: @HagemasterMac

Instagram: @mac_hagemaster5