Overcoming Adversity: The Journey of Underrated Athletes Through Season-Ending Injuries

In the world of sports, injuries are a harsh reality, often leaving promising athletes on the sidelines, nursing shattered dreams. For “underrated” athletes, the stakes are even higher. These players, frequently overlooked or underappreciated, must battle harder to earn recognition. When faced with season-ending injuries, their path becomes steeper, testing their resilience, determination, and mental health.

As an athlete who has faced the struggles of being overlooked, my journey has been a constant effort to prove my worth. My story took a significant turn on January, Friday the 13th when I broke my foot just minutes into a game against Seattle Prep. I suffered a Jones fracture in my right fifth metatarsal. The injury left me in a boot for four months, a period that was only the beginning of my recovery. After the boot came off I didn’t realize it would be weeks before I stepped back on the court 100%. This injury was a harsh reminder that life can change at any minute and the unpredictable nature of sports.

Growing up, I was often overlooked on the sidelines, making the B team in the 6th grade and struggling to find my place on the court. However, my persistence paid off when, as a 7th grader, I started practicing with the 2019-20 girls’ team at Eastside Catholic (of which, the whole Starting 5 would later go in to play in Division 1). Witnessing their practices was inspiring and it sparked and grew my love of the game even more. Despite the progress, my path was never smooth, and even when I made the top Adidas-sponsored team in the state, Northwest Greyhounds, I felt like just another name on the roster, as I never cracked the starting rotation playing up.

By 8th grade, playing in a top program still meant limited minutes on the court. The criticism and doubts from others only fueled my determination. My freshman year brought a new coaching staff and a fresh set of challenges. Despite my hard work, all freshmen were put on JV. This setback intensified my determination to improve, and eventually, my coach moved me up to varsity. However, I still battled with seniors who thought of me as a “try hard,” and it was difficult season because players didn’t love the game like I did. Watching less dedicated players I dominated in practice take minutes I thought I earned made the season difficult to continue. However, I never gave up, and it fueled me even more.

With seniors graduating and knowing myself, I felt like my sophomore season would be my breakout year. During the off-season and leading up to tryouts, I woke up every day at 4:45 AM to go to the track and gym with my dad for conditioning and shooting practice. I felt like I was in the best shape of my life and was ready to make a name for myself. However, all my hopes turned upside down on Friday the 13th, January 2023.

It was a home game against Seattle Prep, as well as “Quad Night” and Faculty and Staff Night — the biggest crowd we’d had all season. But four minutes into the first quarter, I got a steal and went up for a fast-break layup. Ten seconds prior, I would have never imagined that it would be the last time I played for a while. As I came down on my foot, I felt excruciating pain like I had never felt before. The adrenaline kicked in as I tried to run back on defense, but I couldn’t. I spent the entire rest of the game crying to myself in the athletic training room, wondering what was wrong with my foot.

I hoped it was just an ankle sprain because I had dealt with those in the past, but this pain was different. Even the slightest movement in my toe hurt like never before. I went home that night with a boot, still curious about what was wrong with me. I hoped ice and sleep would heal my foot by the morning for practice. However, when I woke up that morning and tried to put my foot on the ground, I knew something was seriously wrong as I couldn’t even place it on the ground while sitting without pain.

I went to practice and watched my team practice, just sitting there in jealousy and regret, thinking about what I could have done to prevent this. After practice, I went to the doctor. The X-rays came back, and I had a Jones fracture in my fifth metatarsal. When I was told this, my immediate reaction was to break down in tears. All I could think about was how this was supposed to be my breakout year. I felt like I had let myself down as well as my teammates. I knew before the doctor visit that it was broken, but the reassurance from the doctor made it hurt even more.

Hearing this news forced me to look at myself beyond being just a basketball player, something I rarely did since my life revolved around the sport. Recovery from a Jones fracture is a slow and arduous process. The initial four months in a boot were incredibly frustrating. Each day was a reminder of the progress I wasn’t making on the court. Unable to play, I watched what was happening on the court from a different perspective as I continued to show up to practice and games to support my team. Getting injured forced me to slow down, and eventually, when I got back on the court, I felt like a calmer player.

When times got hard throughout my recovery journey, I simply thought about how badly I wanted to be the greatest player I could be. It was difficult because, being underrated, I felt as though I was already behind many other players, and getting injured set me back even further. Mentally, I had many nights where I asked myself if this was a sign. However, I never gave up because of how much I loved the sport. I looked up to Angel Reese, who also suffered a Jones fracture in her career and is now one of the biggest faces in women’s basketball.

Tatum Carter, a former AAU teammate and high school teammate of mine, experienced a severe setback when she tore her ACL the summer before her freshman year. Carter reclassed and faced immense pressure to prove herself.

“I did feel like I had more pressure and something to prove to myself,” she said. The injury delayed her progress and affected her mental health, but with the help of a mental coach, she was able to navigate her recovery.

Carter’s journey was tainted by low points and moments of doubt, particularly when she found out about her ACL tear just before tryouts. The support from her family, coaches, and teammates was crucial in overcoming these challenges.

“The lowest was probably when I found out that I did tear my ACL. It was right before tryouts, and I was looking forward to that. It just shattered everything,” she recalled.

Her advice to others facing similar injuries is to take the recovery one day at a time and not rush back into sports. “The risk of going back too early and injuring yourself again is a lot harder than waiting a few more months to be strong enough,” she emphasized.

Despite the physical challenges, Carter’s injury also taught her about the importance of mental strength and resilience. She worked with a mental coach to develop strategies to cope with the psychological toll of her injury. This support was crucial in helping her maintain a positive outlook and stay focused on her long-term goals of getting bac on the court. Tatum’s story is proof of perseverance and the importance of a strong support system in overcoming adversity.

Rakiyah Jackson, another former AAU teammate, had a different path. Despite being underrated throughout high school, she played an extra year of AAU to get one last shot of attracting college attention. Eventually, she earned a Division 1 scholarship to the University of Nevada. “Ever since I arrived on the college campus, I was battling sickness every month and issues with my sciatic nerve due to all the wear and tear I accumulated over the summer while I was playing. So, it was hard to stay healthy. Then around Christmas, I came home and caught influenza to the point where I had to go to urgent care and have an IV put in. I was told I couldn’t fly back to Reno for a week. Then a couple of weeks after that, during practice, I tore my meniscus going up for a layup. At that point, I had gone through and was going through so many health issues it didn’t really have much of an impact. It still sucked because I wasn’t able to travel with my team or practice, but it gave me more time to focus on school and build my immune system and strengthen my body so I’d be ready for next season.” She recalled.

Jackson described the mental toll of being underrated and dealing with slow recruitment. “It was hard being underrated because I had to work twice as hard as everyone else just to get half as much recognition,” she said. Her meniscus injury was another blow, but it gave her time to focus on her health and academics. “It gave me more time to think about where I’m at, what I want to do, and how I want to grow,” she reflected.

Her psychological journey was challenging, with moments of doubt during the initial stages of recovery. Support from her teammates and coaches played a significant role in her progress. “My teammates and coaches were always encouraging me, asking how I was doing, and helping me out,” she added.

Challenges didn’t stop her “As someone who was injured going into their freshman year in high school and being told that they weren’t able to play, I ended up having success in my sophomore, junior, and senior years. So I took that ideology and applied it to the position I’m in now. It gives me time to build my body, focus on school, and get my mental health in order to prepare me to be a better player for my sophomore, junior, and senior years, and hopefully my redshirt year. My perspective originally was negative because of everything I’ve been through and not having success at first. But what I noticed is that we don’t have success at first; it’s not a reason to give up. It should encourage you to want to do more. I was always underrated, and that made me want to be better than my teammates and better than the next person because I had something to prove. And now that I’m in college, I feel like I’ve already proved myself, so now it’s all a matter of being a better player than I was the year before.” She expressed.

Jackson’s advice to others is to never give up, despite setbacks. “You might go through times where you’re just unsuccessful, but when you love something, you have to face adversity. It makes you a better person and player,” she stated.

This story is a example of how setbacks can be transformed into opportunities for growth. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of her injury, she used the time to reflect on her goals and develop a stronger sense of purpose. Her journey highlights the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt to new circumstances, even in the face of significant adversity.

The stories of Tatum, Rakiyah, and my own journey highlight the impact of injuries on athletes’ lives. These challenges test not only physical endurance but also mentally. For underrated athletes, the struggle to prove oneself is compounded by the setbacks of injuries. Yet, these experiences also offer valuable lessons in resilience, patience, and the importance of a strong support system.

Injuries force athletes to confront their limitations and reevaluate their goals. They require a level of mental toughness that goes beyond physical conditioning. The recovery process is a journey in itself, demanding patience, determination, and belief in your own ability to overcome obstacles. It is a time for growth, and the development of a deeper appreciation for the sport and the support of teammates and coaches.

As I prepare for my senior year, I am more determined than ever to make a name for myself. The journey has taught me that everyone’s path is unique, and the true measure of success lies in overcoming the obstacles that come our way. With the support of family, friends, and coaches, and the solid belief in myself, any challenge can be overcame.

Reflecting on my journey and those of my teammates, I have come to a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of resilience and perseverance. These qualities are essential not only for athletic success but also for personal growth and development, as these lessons our futures, both on and off the court.