My name is Jalen Scott and I’m a senior basketball player at the University of Dubuque, where I’m working toward a business and finance degree. I grew up in Surprise, Arizona. I will always be appreciative of the upbringing I received from my parents, who supported me and did their best to raise me. The rules and life lessons I was taught have paved the way for my success in basketball and life. My ability to take care of my body has allowed my physical health to significantly improve over the years. I spent my entire life rolling and spraining my ankles, which left them extremely weak. I’ve broken my nose and suffered stress fractures to my tibia and fibula, but each time I’ve recovered better and stronger. I never considered myself to be a division one basketball player when I first started playing as a child. After taking your high school team to a championship game and all the weekend practice and games, I feel like I never really understood what it meant to play at the next level until I went to a D1 stage. I came to the realization that all of my preparation for the game had made me a good player and teammate after I had led my team to a championship game. This resulted in a chance to enroll at Colorado State, a Division 1 university. But this would be a mental test for me. Playing at this level requires a toughness that is equally as taxing on the mind as it is on the body. Being the youngest and believing you’re not the best player or fastest takes a toll on your confidence and brain. I had a lot of trouble with that until my coach and I started going to therapy. I was able to cultivate a mindset that allowed me to remain a good player while also becoming a better person during my difficult moments by talking to him about basketball and life in general. Even though those times with him were among the most difficult, I hope I can teach others the lessons I learned. Although fear can have a powerful impact on you, your mindset can help you overcome doubt and pressures from the outside. I encourage others to make their health a priority—it will allow you to be prepared for the obstacles, overcome the potholes, and finish at a destination that you never imagined. I am blessed!
