For as long as I can remember, family has been my foundation.
Growing up, I did just about everything with my relatives.
That applied to sports.
At seven years old, I played basketball, football, and baseball with my older brother.
He was quick to notice my hoop skills and told me basketball was my future.
I took his advice to heart, and the more I played, the more I developed my skills and loved it.
It felt like home.
Since then, I’ve continued to chase that feeling, making sure my basketball journey is an extension of family.
It’s how I made my decision to play college ball in my home state.
And it’s why I eventually transferred here, to the University of Nebraska Omaha.
The program has let me be myself, allowed me to grow as a person and a player, and given me all the support I could ask for.
It’s been a perfect fit.
A Therapeutic Game
There’s something about basketball that is therapeutic.
When I’m on the court, nothing else matters. I feel calm and I’m at peace.
Whether I’m in practice or in a game, I can clear my mind of any stress or anxiety and focus on the game, one that’s taught me how to overcome adversity, be a team player, and work hard to achieve my goals.
I got my first taste of college-level competition during my freshman year of high school.
I had been working with various trainers since middle school, and they saw something in me I didn’t see in myself.
That season, I was doing just about anything I wanted on the court.
It was a huge confidence boost, and it was around that time I started to get attention from colleges.
It was never my goal to play college basketball, but once I realized I could, I focused on preparing myself for the next level.
Multiple schools offered me a scholarship.
It was a humbling experience.
Ultimately, I decided on North Dakota State.
At the time, there were a lot of open roster spots, so I knew I’d get playing time. Plus, it was close to Bismarck, where my mom’s side of the family lived.
At first, the transition from high school to college was challenging.
The game is faster, and everyone is bigger and stronger. I had to work on my defense and slow the game down in my head.
But with time and effort, I regained that calm and peace that attracted me to the game.
A Family Culture
I played for the Bison for two seasons before deciding to enter the transfer portal.
I was looking for a new challenge and UNO checked all the boxes.
I already knew Coach Kyan Brown because he recruited me when I was in high school, so that familiarity helped my decision.
I always loved his energy and passion for the game, and when I heard he was at UNO, I had to give it a chance.
When I visited, I could also feel the love from everyone immediately.
I could tell that this place was building something special and I wanted to be a part of that.
Since then, I’ve learned to be a leader on this team.
When I first got to UNO, it was a bit of a contradiction — I was new to the team but also an upperclassman. I knew I had to lead by example and show the younger guys how to go about their business.
As time went on, whether in the locker room or on the court, I embraced my role and became more vocal.
It also helps that I’ve stayed in the Summit League and have familiarity with the conference.
I already know what to expect from certain teams and players, and it’s given us a slight advantage in scouting and preparing for games.
Dare I say, it all feels like home.
A Special Heritage
One aspect of my life that I’ve always taken pride in is my Native American heritage.
My mom is 100% Native American, which I’ve known since birth. My family lives on a reservation, and I’ve spent a lot of time there.
It’s something that I take great pride in, especially because there haven’t been many people from the reservation who have done what I’m doing.
I have nieces and nephews who look up to me, and I want to set a good example for them.
My heritage is also deeply intertwined with my faith.
We’re big on religion and faith, and my grandpa was especially dedicated to prayer.
I carry that with me and try to keep faith present in my life, whether things are going well or not.
It’s a tradition that I’ve embraced and that guides my life.
I’ve even shared some of these traditions with my teammates.
It’s a part of who I am, and I take pride in representing my heritage both on and off the court.
And UNO allows me to be 100% myself.
It’s been a blessing.
Continuing to Grow
As I continue my basketball journey at UNO, I’m excited for the rest of the season.
Our team has been doing really well, and we have a simple mindset.
We take things one game at a time.
That mindset has also helped us win The Summit League.
And now, we get to compete in March Madness — I can’t wait!
Through it all, I’m grateful for the support and love I’ve received from my coaches, teammates, and the community.
Though transferring was a tough process, my journey in college basketball has been one of growth, perseverance, and self-acceptance.
Continuing to be myself.
Continuing to feel at home.