I Hoop With Sami

Videos of Me Playing Basketball

The game of basketball has given me so much...and I'm only 14 years old. For starters, it's kinda awkward being a 6'5", 230lb girl in junior high (and still growing). I literally stand out...everywhere I go. I'm often mistaken as a boy, I'm assuming that's because of my height. As a result, I now insist on things like my mom or a friend of mine going to any public ladies room because of all the instances that someone has tried to stop to tell me "the men's room is that way". Ugghhh. So frustrating!

Enter basketball. Basketball is a place where my size also stands out...but in a way that allows me to shine. It has given me the opportunity to experience things I otherwise would have never had the opportunity to experience. I've played with many teammates, and a lot have become great friends along the way. That is only going to grow as I continue to grow in the game.

Unfortunately, my family has experienced a tremendous amount of hardships along the way, leaving my mom to raise my siblings and me on her own. As a direct result of domestic violence, I've experienced a multitude of injustices such as homelessness and foster care. Thankfully, that happened, for what seems like, a lifetime ago. 

I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I miss having a dad.

However, I will be forever grateful for the scars I've gathered along the way, it's made me much more socially aware, culturally sensitive, and my eyes are wide open to the social injustices forced upon those less fortunate. I hope to become an advocate for change some day, especially as it relates to kids and foster care.

In the meantime, I lean as hard on basketball as it leans on me. It allows me to focus on what the future holds, I have a real vision for playing at the D1 level for one of my top (8) picks: UCONN, Notre Dame, Baylor, UCLA, U. of Oregon, Duke, LSU or Arkansas. My even bigger dream is to one day play in the WNBA. I take any opportunity to get into a gym when I can. 

I also understand the importance of my grades and am maintaining a 4.0.

My hope is to bring along as many on my journey as possible. I'd like to show that I'm not a statistic and that kids can come out of the worst of circumstances, circumstances that propelled them into a real success story.

I hope you'll join me!