Don’t Just Be a Player, Become a Leader.

A look at making the most of the experience and not only becoming a better player but a better person and leader.

Your college career will come with a lot of variables that make it what it is. But, what is more important is that you recognize your college career is really what you make of it. At the end of your playing days you want to be able to look back and say that you took advantage of every opportunity that was given to you. You want to be able to say that you went above and beyond. And yeah, sure you had hard days but those are the days that helped you grow the most. Be that person on your team that sets new self-improvement goals every year, not just basketball goals. Be that person on your team that people can go to when they need someone to listen or lean on. College athletics is a great place grow as a person and leader always keep that in mind.

Don’t Lose a Love for the Game

Burnout often happens and when it does, your passion turns into a burden. Don't let that happen.

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart, and really the main reason I started EMpowerment. During my first two and a half years of college, I lost a lot of love for the game. Rather than the basketball court being my solace, it became a place of stress and something I began to dread. I believe everyone loses love for the game for their own reasons, and I think often it’s more than one.

I remember talking with some of my friends and telling them how much I hated basketball and got to a point where I didn't know why I was playing it anymore. It wasn't until halfway through my junior year that I started to shift my mindset and it started slowly. It started with me realizing that I didn't hate basketball as a sport, I just didn't love college ball.

To be completely honest last year I talked to my coach about my struggles, and she allowed me to take a full week off from practice to get away from basketball. With that being said, the best way to keep your love for the game is to surround yourself with good people, great coaches, and remember the reason you started playing in the first place. I say this because that's what worked for me.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, your experience is not all about the facilities and the gear you get. It is about the people that surround you. The people will have a far greater effect on you than the materialistic things we are often bribed with as athletes. Never lose sight of this

Expert Advice From Jannah Tucker

“I think my parents and I did a fairly good job with recruiting and making sure I stayed grounded in my decision making. However, the biggest thing I wish I did differently was research the schools more academically, demographically, and what support they had to offer me for life after basketball." - Jannah Tucker Former Tennessee and Villanova Women's Basketball Player.

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Some tips when recruiting:

1. Be your authentic self (I [Jannah] felt like I acted differently at different schools based on the “hype” of that school).

2. Make sure to ask how they see you blending in and helping their program.

3. Express your goals & ask what their goals (team, individual, season, etc) are.

 4. Don’t get caught up in the glits and glam. Really think about life outside of your sport and if you would enjoy the school itself.

Some things I wish I knew:

1. Not everyone cares about what’s in your best interest.

2. It is all about the “sell” and the emphasis was always on the sport instead of the entire experience of college.

3. I wish I asked more questions (i.e asking the girls what they don’t like about the school/program)

4. Everyone is prepped on who you are before you come to campus; don't let that fool you.