Brionna Benson '14 Recruiting Profile

My love for basketball began when I was five years old. Back then, I loved going to practice. It was hard, but lots of fun. Although we did lots of running, my teammates and I joked around. In the end it always paid off with the coach being proud of everyone.

Being an only child I really love being part of a team. My teammates are like an extended family. They are always there for me. We may have disagreements, but we always get them settled. I enjoy their company and we have a lot of laughs.

Over the years I improved my defensive skills. Playing strong defense always leaves me with a good feeling. What leaves me feeling great is the excitement of trapping and going after loose balls. It pumps me up, causing me to feel more confident going through the offense. I always feel relaxed in my game because I can go after steals or cause turnovers. This makes it easier for a quick transition and a possible turn at the free throw line.

Another strength for me is my shooting ability. When I was younger, I never liked to shoot the ball. I would get scared and just toss up the ball. Now, shooting has become a part of who I am. I love to shoot because it helps me relax. Shooting, outside of practice and games, can relieve a lot of stress as well. During games it is energizing to hear the crowd cheer after the ball hits.

My love for the game has increased over the years. I want to continue down that path. Basketball is part of my life. If I had to choose between playing basketball and giving it up, I would rather continue playing. Quitting will leave me feeling lost and empty without a ball in my hand.