College Admissions Essay: Basketball Saved My Life

No other sport will mean so much to me as basketball will. Every time I step on the court, I lose myself and become a whole other person. When I hear my name yelled in the crowd, I get an adrenaline rush to my brain, causing me to swiftly move quicker and focus on the game. Deep down I know that I am not here to win the game, but to enjoy myself. Each basket I make are like my worries trapped into the ball, and then expelled when it goes into the basket. This game is where my mind gets lost in the sounds of the dribbles. When the game is over, I look back to my team and give them warming hugs knowing that the game is over, and we will not stop playing the sport because there is always time to get better. Although I frantically wash my jerseys the nights before games, and leave my stinky shoes in my car all season, I would not trade pulling a jersey over my head every Friday night, dancing to blaring music in the locker room, and lacing up my shoe for the world. It means a lot more to me knowing that it is more than just a game. While I know I am having fun with my best friends and some of the greatest mentors that I have, I know that I am learning true values of life, which will make me become a better

I have had many opportunities to create relationships and memories that I would otherwise have not have had. The game of basketball has shaped me into a well-rounded and more productive member of my community. Many hours of practice and studying have allowed me to become successful and earn many honorable awards and recognitions from my teachers, coaches, and administrators.

The three skills I’ve learn because of basketball was communication, hard work, and teamwork. All of these skills helped me make new friends made me more confident. The skills helped me grow more as a person and sculpted me to be the way I am today. Without these skills that I’ve learned I would still be shy and not have as many friends as I have today

When I was younger, basketball was all I wanted to play, it just looked like so much fun. In fifth grade I had my parents sign me up for CYB, then in sixth grade I tried out for middle school basketball and played all the way up until ninth grade. In middle school when I was in eighth grade I was awarded the captain position and that helped me build leadership and responsibility. All of the players especially the younger ones knew they could always come to me at any time if they needed anything or help with anything. High school basketball was a lot different than middle school. In middle school I was one of the star players so I played a lot but in high school that changed. I sat the bench a lot that taught me patience and understanding even

The game of basketball has influenced my life in several ways. Basketball has made me a fearless competitor. It has also molded me into a self driven, hard working young lady. Without the game of basketball, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today.

As an individual I love staying active, socializing with others, being dependable, and keeping busy. Playing Basketball for Flour Bluff ISD, since the seventh grade, has granted me the opportunity to achieve all of these goals. For some peculiar reason I have consistently felt that I lacked experience of which my peers had, and that I would never be able to acquire it. Soon after I started playing I became intimidated of my fellow teammates and worried about the time I felt I lost, due to beginning so late in my childhood. Without fail, I always feel a sense of accomplishment after making it through tryouts every year and as I approach my final season, it has become clear just how much of my life was devoted to Basketball, that I truly love it and how I am thankful to be a part of something much more than just a team.

Basketball became a place where I could exhibit my talent and it has been so for the past 7 years. Each time I play a match, I set a target for myself to be the top scorer of that game. I only settled for the best. The feeling of a 3 point shot swishing into the net and blocking a shot from my opponent left me feeling immensely satisfied and cool.

I have developed a strong work ethic, time management skills, goal-setting abilities, and mental toughness. I have worked hard to become a leader, gain decision-making skills, and overcome adversity. Basketball gave me the opportunity to function within a team for the success of the group. Everyone has to accept their role for the team to reach greater heights. This will carry over to my future career as a physician assistant because I will be a fundamental member of a healthcare team.

Basketball doesn’t just do it’s job on the court, every coach that I had has taught me important life lessons from basketball. For example, when a ref calls a bad foul you can’t stay mad because like the weather even though it rains and you don’t want it to you need to learn how to move on and work with what’s given to you. Sports in general help you grow as a person and make friends with many people. I enjoy playing with different people because you get to create a bond with many and be more social around people.

Sports gave me confidence and a work ethic that has translated to life. I have traveled to countless states, out of the country, met people from all regions, and had amazing experiences; all credited to basketball. Basketball is a game of discipline and individuals who exhibit success have input a work ethic that exceeds their competition. The Rookie Sensation seeks to position youth to potentially get a free education, learn work ethic, applicable skills that translates to life, convene with other athletes with common goals, and meet successful professionals who used sports as means to success.

There were many ups and downs in my basketball career but it remained the love of my childhood. By giving up basketball, it marked the end of an era in my life and it taught me important lessons. From when I was eight years old until the past year, basketball was my life day in and day out. When I decided to stop playing, I had to take a big leap into maturity. I was not quite ready to stop, but I knew it was the best thing for me to do

The first reason is that basketball can help you with awareness. Just by playing in a basketball game helps you with awareness because of all the things going on you have to be aware.So playing the game you learn awareness and this can help you succeed in everyday life. “Being conscious and aware in life sets the stage for achievement” (7 Life

The commercials reeled in my attention and did not give any room for other distractions. Watching Kobe Bryant’s story influenced me to become just like him. Basketball has impacted me in a positive way in terms of academics because without it, I would have been an average student just getting by in the class. Before basketball I was nowhere near the smartest student in my classes and after not making my eighth grade basketball team that motivated me to assign my education as the highest priority so that I could play basketball. I ended up playing basketball all four years in high school and averaged a 4.0 academically with perfect attendance. It’s a humbling experience how the conversations at school and the first basketball commercial I watched about the NBA finals lead me to play a sport that I

I’ve been playing basketball ever since I can remember. Basketball has and always will be a huge part of my life. I’ve been on so many different basketball teams. Through good and bad times we have developed a sort of family bond.

Wheelchair basketball has benefitted me by making me physically fit which allowed me to do more with my life physically. I was born with a spine deformity called congenital scoliosis and because the way that my spine is curved, it collapsed onto one of my lungs. This action gave me only 60% lung capacity. Before I started wheelchair basketball my lungs were only 70% efficient and just after a year of playing wheelchair basketball my lungs were working with 95% efficiency. I was doing physical fitness which I could not do with other kids my age due to my scoliosis. Before I found wheelchair basketball I felt isolated and depressed. Studies show that physical fitness and being active can actually help, if not cure, depression and wheelchair basketball did exactly that. Also, because wheelchair basketball forced me to stay in shape I