In Spike Lee’s “He Got Game,” the highly recruited Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen) is faced with making a tough decision about his future playing career.  He recalls advice from his mother, Mary: “And remember, use basketball as a tool.”

Similar to Jesus, values instilled from my parents and experiences through basketball helped to shape me.  Every day, I move forward to achieve my goals with an understanding of hard work, the value of a team and how to have confidence in myself.

I am almost positive basketball  is in my DNA.  As far back as I can remember, my Dad took me with him to the gym.  I watched him lead traveling Air Force teams for years.  Some of my cherished memories are of relatives circled in front of the TV at my Grandparents’ house debating over the NBA playoffs every summer.

It was a no-brainer on Saturday mornings to get my chores done quickly so I could watch “NBA Inside Stuff” with Ahmad Rashad.  To me, being the only girl in basketball camp at the Youth Center in 1995 meant I was ahead of the game and was not looking back!   Through middle school and high school, I would hop on my bike and ride up to the courts to practice and play with the guys.  I developed a passion early and learned to pursue it with excellence at all costs.  The rewards for hard work in my high school days were three Maryland State Championships as a freshman, sophomore, and senior (4A, Suitland H.S.).

This deliberate focus to get better also helped me to overcome obstacles.  For example, tearing my ACL in a high school senior all-star game was not in my plans; nor was sitting out my senior playing season three years later at Coppin State University, the effect of an ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus tear to the opposite knee.  Needless to say, resiliency is the backbone of that DNA makeup now.

We are all familiar with the adage that there is “no ‘I’ in team.”  I played mostly a back-up point guard role on winning teams under stellar coaches who knew how to manage female athletes well.  I was prepared every game to battle against top-tier, talented players and programs.  I maintained a very strong philosophy that teamwork is paramount.  I may not have been the starter until my upperclassmen years, but best believe I was an intelligent, up-tempo, game-changing point guard when on the floor!  I could see that from the head coach to the team manager, working together is the best way to accomplish goals.  When star players graduate and everyone discounts your team as a contender, when players and coaches do not see eye to eye or when the rivalry is so intense you feel like you are playing against your competitor, their loud fans AND a rowdy band (i.e. Howard University, Hampton University, University of Maryland, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University)–team camaraderie gives you a huge advantage.  I discovered how to recognize and appreciate another person’s skills and talents, even when they are different than mine.  Through basketball, I learned to assert confidence and leadership on and off the court.

Principles I learned playing, coaching, and watching this game have been more than invaluable—it has been how I study life.  Basketball proves that everyone has a part to play and you should be your very best at all times.  It will undoubtedly keep the unit strong and moving in a positive direction.

I have been blessed to keep relationships with most all of my past coaches and teammates and I am thankful to basketball for connecting me with some of my closest confidants today.  Basketball has given me so much and I will forever give back to the game!

Monique S. Lewis #5