Thank you. Thank you, dad, for introducing me to the sport I played for 10 years. For loving the sport as much as I do. For constantly pushing me to become better. For making sure that I knew that I didn’t have to play if I didn’t want to. For never “letting” me win. For being there for every game. For being my number one fan.

Dad, I cannot begin to thank you for introducing me to a sport that has taught me so much. It taught me endurance—to never quit even when it seems hard. It taught me patience—to stay calm even when I must deal with the hardest people. It taught me to stand up—even when I keep getting pushed down.

Your passion for this sport-inspired me to keep playing—even when I didn’t get along with a coach, or I had rude teammates, or when I thought I would never be able to play again.

I was in a bad car accident my senior year of high school and the first question I asked when I got in the ambulance was if I was going to be able to play basketball again. When the paramedic told me she didn’t know, I was devastated. But you worked with me, but never pushed me too hard, until I was able to play again. You bought me any brace or bandage and took me to every doctor’s appointment that I needed, so that I could play.

When, a coach or teammate didn’t believe in me, you did. When I didn’t believe in me, you did. And I cannot express how grateful I am for all your support.

You never doubted me. You never hesitated to tell me you were proud of me for how I played—but you also weren’t afraid to tell me what I could change to become better.

You could have played in college. However, you knew that if you did you could have made your previous knee and ankle problems worse and you wanted to be able to play with your children one day. Even before I was born, you were completely selfless when it came to basketball—I cannot thank you enough for that.

I LOVE YOU, DAD