As little girls, some people dream of being a vet or an astronaut. But Kara Gresham has always known where she wanted to go in life, and that was to be a basketball superstar. As only a junior, she surpassed that already. Earlier this semester Gresham received her first offer from King University, she describes her experience.
“I had gone there on a visit; to tour the campus, meet the players, learn more about the campus, and get to sit down and talk with the coach. He then got to the point where he said that he was going to give me the opportunity to play for him and that he thought I would fit into his style of play,” Gresham said.
As Gresham has grown up, all she’s known is basketball. She has continuously chosen basketball and made it a priority in her life. This offer was the result of her hard work and dedication.
“I spend a lot of time in the gym. I play exposure ball so more coaches are able to see me play, I compete with a lot higher people and go to a lot of college camps. I also email coaches every weekend my highlights and film, and get on Zoom calls as I can with coaches,” Gresham said.
Even after her school basketball season ends, she has no time to waste because then she goes right to AAU ball. Which can also be known, as she said earlier, exposure ball. AAU gives her more opportunities than school ball would, because coaches purposefully come out to scout for players.
“[Playing AAU ball] is definitely a blessing, a lot of people don’t get that opportunity. So I am very fortunate to be able to play. I would say that over the years, playing in front of so many college coaches, I am a little less stressed because I am more prepared. I have also gained a lot of confidence over the years, so that makes it easier. I would say pressure is a privilege, so I am just grateful that I get to do it.” Gresham said.
Gresham has grown up in this small town that a lot of us call home, and she takes a lot of pride in being able to play in front of the people who raised her.
“It definitely gives me extra motivation to play for and to win for. And you definitely want to put LC on the map, because it’s not one of the schools that everyone talks about. It’s important to get the word out there that we are as big of a contender as anyone else,” Gresham said.
Gresham said that her biggest support system would be her family and coaches because they are her backbone. Someone that she can trust, when she falls backward, they will be there to catch her and push her forward. It gives her a reason, not only to be grateful for but to keep her motivated.
“[What keeps me motivated is] looking ahead, in the future. My family is my biggest support system. Thankful for my coaches here, Coach Collier and Micah. Everybody has been a big help, and they help me to be better on and off the court. And I just want to be better for myself and my teammates,” Gresham said.
Though this is only Coach Collier’s second season with the Lady Panthers, she pushes the girls to get out of their comfort zone. Then that continues for them outside of the court.
“Coach Collier has helped me develop as a person and a player. She’s given me a lot of insight, into what I want and what I should look for in the future,” Gresham said.
As Gresham says, “It’s less of what you do when people are watching and more of what you do when they aren’t”.
Gresham has reached a lot of goals just at 16 years old, but she’s not done yet.
