I was brought up in a family with a volleyball background, even now being told I am a part of a volleyball dynasty following my Dad’s footsteps. However, I found my love for basketball at a young age and made it my mission to attend as many basketball camps and programmes as I possibly could. As a 17-year-old in my final year at Mount Maunganui College, I’ve had the honour to represent Hawkes Bay and Tauranga in multiple age group teams up to u17s, the Waikato U19 representative team, and the Women’s Waikato Wizards team, playing in the women’s NBL league. I’ve represented my school at national events and have even been fortunate enough to represent New Zealand. I was a U15 New Zealand Girls Basketball team member who travelled to Papua New Guinea, placing 2nd. I was also selected in the U17’s and Junior Tall Ferns who were in preparation for their World Cup Qualifying process but unfortunately was unable to travel due to the pandemic. Recently I have been a part of the NBA Academy Women’s Virtual Programme, an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to improve on-court whilst working alongside like-minded athletes around the world. All throughout these successes, I represent my family, my alga, including my recent selection into the Tall Ferns programme as the youngest in 2021. Having faced a lot of adversity that no 17-year-old should ever have to experience, the independent and determined individual I am has only grown stronger and my love for basketball thrives within me.