The Power of 100%

I was working a camp this summer and one of the girls asked, “How in the world can I get a scholarship when I am from a small town in North Carolina with cows right behind my high school?” She was implying that because she was from such a small town there was no way she was ever going to have a chance to play at a college or university. This concerned me that she thought that because that means somewhere there is an idea that small town girls cannot receive scholarships. So I gave her my background and what it took for a small town girl to get where I did.

The most important thing I did was play with 100% effort 100% of the time. It did not matter whom I was playing or where I was playing I was always there to win and if I did not win I did my best. I could be at the farm shooting hoops by myself and I was still going as hard as I could. Game speed was always very important. The quantity of practicing I did was not as important as the quality of the practicing I did.  Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes prepared to compete at the highest levels.

Coach Kay Yow noticed me when I was a freshman in high school because my team played the team of a girl that she was recruiting. I played so well that game that Coach Kay Yow stopped recruiting the other girl and began to recruit me. She then realized that I played hard every single game, had good grades, and my attitude was excellent. I received my scholarship because I proved that I was going to help the team in every aspect and give 100% the whole time.

As I am now a professional athlete in my rookie season I plan to continue working as hard as I can. I have learned in the short time that I have been in Sweden with my team that they value hard work as much as I do. My team, Mark Basket, is located in the middle of a farming community and they pride themselves in hard work because that is exactly what gets them through the long, cold winters. My general manager has stressed to us that our fans will be pleased with us if we work hard but very disappointed if we quit or do not give 100% effort.

I am here to become the Guard of the Year in our league and I am ready to give 100% of myself to accomplish that goal. One of my core values has propelled me through many levels of basketball and it is time for one more push from my hard work!