Growing up in a basketball family helped shape the person I am today. 

When I was younger, there was never any pressure to continue playing basketball, but I grew to love watching and playing the game. The best part of my family loving basketball, and my dad being the head coach of South’s varsity boys basketball team, is that whenever I have a question, I have multiple people to give advice.

 I have been to all my family’s games. Seeing them put so much time into the sport made me want to follow in their footsteps. Whenever I saw my siblings or the team my Dad coached win regionals, it made me want to work harder and excel. 

When my siblings are home, they always are willing to practice with me and help me get better. Having people in my family as invested in a sport as I creates a sense of understanding; they support me no matter what. I love being immersed in basketball; this sport is truly my life 24/7.

I am incredibly proud of my dad and how successful he is as a coach. After finding out he got inducted into the Illinois Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2023, I felt incredibly grateful for him to be my dad and coach. He puts so much hard work into the boys’ team every year and still makes time to get me into the gym throughout the season. There is no doubt in my mind that my dad completely deserves this award. I used to dislike it when people started talking about my dad, but now I am usually the one who brags to others about how awesome my dad is.