Tia

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

More than anything, basketball is an outlet for her mental health. When life feels heavy, she can step on the court and just play. It gives her somewhere to put her emotions, clear her head, and feel like herself again. Of course she loves competing, her teammates, and getting better, but basketball has become much more than a sport to her. It has been a safe place during some of the hardest changes in her life.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Her favorite athlete is Paige Bueckers. She admires her game, confidence, and the way she has come back from adversity. Off the court, she says I inspire her as her mom. That means more to me than she probably realizes. But what I love most is that she doesn’t want to become me or anyone else. She wants to learn from the people she looks up to and use that motivation to become a better version of herself.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

It isn’t one basket, trophy, or win. I’m proudest that she kept playing during a time when her entire life was changing. There were days when I knew she was carrying things a kid shouldn’t have to carry, and she still walked onto that court. I’ve watched basketball give her somewhere to breathe, rebuild her confidence, and find pieces of herself again. Seeing her continue to show up, even when she wasn’t at her best, has made me prouder than any scoreboard ever could.