Heather Youngthunder '16 Recruiting Profile

Although I didn't start playing competitive basketball until freshman year, I learned quickly, and help our sophomore JV team to more victories than any of the past 10 seasons. Many in the community were excited to see us move up to varsity the next year. Unfortunately, I had to sit bench for my junior year because I was recovering from an ACL surgery.  I learned from this time that I may not be able to play basketball forever, and that meant every second on the floor is important. This is why I work hard and do the details in every second I’m able to play. Determined to make a comeback my senior year, I decided to keep training to be even better than before.

While at IMG Academy’s summer camp, I got a personal invitation from Coach Shell Dailey to participate in her basketball program at IMG Academy in Florida for my senior year. Throughout that year I refined my forward skills as a small guard by training against girls going to Division 1 teams and girls who play for their foreign national teams. I have a very strong defensive presence, especially near the paint, even against players much taller than me. I love working hard to box out and get rebounds. In practice, I pride in myself in my work ethic by pushing both my teammates and myself farther than we think is possible in order to consistently improve. Academically, I also strive to achieve the high goals I set for myself, as well as help my teammates who need help academically. This year I will have returned to IMG Academy to participate in its Women’s Post-graduate Basketball Team to further work on my guard skills, and find the right college to play basketball for.