Growing up, I always found myself around the game of basketball whether it was watching on tv or playing outside I was always near it. The first time I really knew basketball was going to be apart of my life was during middle school. I tried out for the team and made it! my excitement was overwhelming being that I am a very shy person, this was going to be my outlet so I thought. Practice after Practice I found myself getting better from making free throws to shooting jump shots to running sprints. I felt prepared and ready to showcase everything that I was learning with my team on the court. My coach on the other hand didn’t feel the same as I. I mostly sat on the bench and would probably play at most 10 minutes. Our team wasn’t very good and it was frustrating for me that I was being set back and not being able to showcase my talent. This ultimately hindered my decision of trying out for the freshmen team in high school. Even though I chose not move forward with a playing career, I found other ways to really get intrigued by this phenomenal sport. For one, basketball is very fast paced, engaging, fun and it will always keep you guessing. Watching games on TV was one of the ways I stayed engaged in the sport, from high school to the NBA, I really enjoy all levels of this sport. One memory that pops in my head was my senior year in high school our girl’s basketball team was losing to a division rival at home and with the rally and support from our star guard and the fans were able to win and head to the state championships. One of the reasons basketball is so important in my life is because at this time it brought an entire school together as one. It felt like we were all family in that moment. Basketball also helped me fit in during my high school years as well. It was a easy talking point for me and a connector for my peers. People often express their love for things by a person or inspiration and I do have those when it comes down to it but being in school and trying to be accepted, basketball helped a lot. From knowing stats about players or just knowing simple facts about players it helped me to express myself more. I wasn’t always everyone go to person but when it came time for a game I was always there and my peers understood that. Basketball for me is a lifestyle and in some shape or form it has played a key role in decision making, to also thinking of better ways to possibly brand a team. I hope you enjoy this blog as you will get to know more about me through the eyes of this sport and teams as well as people who are in the sports industry who made my love for the game that much greater and special. Welcome to my blog. my world.my life.
Mariah B.
