Basketball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Although I participated in other sports, basketball always held a special place in my heart. The game has shaped how I view discipline, perseverance, and personal growth, and today, I want to share those lessons with the next generation of student-athletes.

My journey was not a straight path. I attended Terre Haute North during the 2014–2015 school years after spending time in the Bloomington and Edgewood areas. I experienced setbacks early, including not making my middle school teams. At 16, family circumstances took me to Alabama and Georgia for a period of time, where I was homeschooled. No matter where I was, I found ways to keep playing—at parks, churches, school courts, apartment complexes, and anywhere else I could find a hoop.

I was often overlooked, told I was too small, or given reasons to believe I would not succeed. Instead of allowing those labels to define me, I used them as motivation. As an undersized guard, I relied on energy, shooting, court vision, and relentless work to earn opportunities. I did not go on to play college basketball, but the determination it took to compete continues to shape my approach to coaching.

My playing journey was also interrupted by significant injuries, including a serious right knee injury and a shoulder injury that eventually required reconstructive surgery. Recovery and physical therapy brought difficult stretches and kept me away from the game for years. There were moments when I questioned whether I would ever play the same way again. Those experiences changed my perspective. They taught me that an athlete's identity is bigger than performance, and that resilience is often built when the path forward is uncertain.

Returning to basketball and reconnecting with Coach Jarrod Wampler helped me rediscover what the game could mean in my life—not only as a player, but as a mentor and coach. I am grateful for that opportunity because it helped me recognize a purpose: to become the kind of role model I needed when I was younger.

Today, my coaching philosophy is built on discipline, accountability, communication, and consistent development. I believe athletes deserve coaches who challenge them honestly, recognize their potential, and help them respond to adversity with maturity. We will work on fundamentals, basketball IQ, effort, and teamwork, but we will also emphasize academics, leadership, respect, and character.

At Indiana Ballerz, our goal is bigger than winning games. We want every student-athlete to understand how to accept correction, take ownership of their decisions, work through setbacks, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.

I cannot promise every athlete an easy road or a specific outcome. I can promise to take their development seriously, communicate with integrity, and encourage them to give their best effort. My mission is to help athletes become strong players and even stronger people—and to remind them that being counted out does not have to determine where their journey ends.