Personal Statement

Like my competitors, my primary goal is to play college basketball while maintaining a solid education. Being on the shorter side of the height scale and attending a high school where recognition is not fitted, I know what it means to work harder than others to get to where I want; as a black woman I have no other choice but to. My parents found out about my skill in the beginning of 1st grade: where my P.E coach mentioned to them my “over-exceptional level of ball.” They put me in a local youth league, I9 Sports, where I began my journey. For the first time but never the last, I played with and against boys. For the first time I’ve felt faster and stronger than what the world portrays us to be. Yes, it was probably because of my head start in puberty…but I’ve always believed in myself to be at anyone’s level, if not higher. My competition is bigger than the girls around me, it's me against the ideas of the world. I want to use this gift for something greater, not only to get to where I want in life, but to make a statement and to be an inspiration to all the young girls like me. 

I know in the media big-time players who lead the team/ hit the buzzer beater are always the spotlight of the paper, but through all the coaches and friends I've met, they’ve described me as the glue of the team. I’m gonna be sure to be the one to make the big steals of the game, the extra assist, the game sealing rebound to win. One of my biggest assets to the game is my energy and hustle. With my speed, stamina, and athleticism, my teammates have no other choice but to match my energy and pick up the tempo of the game. I was never a big offensive player throughout my elementary-middle school time. I struggled severely with self confidence and my skepticism to drive to the basket; at some moments I would even pass off an open shot. However, for the past three years, I have been pushing my limits to provide for my team and makeup for what I missed all this time. Being my last year in high school, the pressure is coming down fast, but I will be sure to keep my head up, the energy pushing, and smile through it all. Thank you for reading.