This story appears in FCA Magazine’s September/October 2016 issue. Subscribe today!

Born: Aug. 22, 1992 Hometown: New York City
College: High Point (NC), Middle Tennessee State
Notes:
• Drafted fifth overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2015 WNBA Draft
• At Middle Tennessee State, set single-game and season records for blocked shots
• At High Point, set school and conference single-season rebounding and blocks records, and was twice named conference Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013)

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” – Psalm 40:2

I’ve constantly had to overcome challenges in my life, but most of those challenges were brought on by myself. Now that I’m older, I can see how the Lord sustained me through them all and never gave up on me, even when I didn’t immediately turn to Him for help.

I was the baby of my family, the youngest of four, born and raised in New York City until my parents separated when I was 13. Then we moved with my mom to Gwinnett, Georgia. I struggled with the transition to the South—missing my dad, acting out, not focusing on school. My anger and confusion during adolescence turned to violence, and I got in so much trouble that I was kicked out of the regular high school and sent to an alternative school.

Things didn’t improve much there. As a freshman, I was failing all my classes and wasn’t eligible to play basketball. Soon, we packed up and left for North Carolina to be closer to my older brother, his wife and two kids. By that time, I was growing taller than all the other girls and loved basketball, so my family encouraged me to stay focused on school, and maybe basketball could be my ticket to a free college education. (To be honest, I hadn’t even planned on going to college.)

My mom did a great job raising us in the church. I always knew God and “loved” Him, even if it took awhile for me to learn what it meant to have a relationship with Him. Despite my mom’s positive influence, though, I was still acting out in North Carolina and had a long way to go.

My poor grades and lack of focus kept me ineligible for a full year of high school basketball. Fortunately, AAU ball gave college coaches a chance to see me play. By then I had grown to 6-foot-4, and the staff at High Point University (just 15 minutes from our home) took a chance on me. I graciously accepted, but deep down I knew the distractions away from the court would only become more difficult.

It’s crazy looking back now, because I knew what I had to do to be successful in class and on the court, but I just kept making terrible decisions. I was leading a double life, putting on a front for others in public while privately doing drugs, drinking and partying. I was playing well and getting good enough grades to stay on the team, but I had lost all control. When the coaching staff changed at High Point after my sophomore year, I viewed it as an opportunity to hit the “reset” button by transferring. In reality, I was just running away from my problems off the court.

For awhile at Middle Tennessee State University, I had enough willpower to stay away from drugs and alcohol, but eventually the temptation was too much. But, unlike all the times before, I got caught. And that ultimately proved to be my saving grace. My first failed drug test was just a warning, but the second meant several missed games.

I was still fighting the temptations, but I kept giving in. I prayed and prayed, asking God to show me the right way but refusing to accept His answers. My third failed drug test was probably the best answer He could’ve given me.

I was kicked off the team altogether.

It was devastating. I was passionate and committed to one thing—basketball—and my poor decisions took that away from me. It knocked me down, right to my knees. I turned to the only One who could truly help me, and He showed me that following Him can’t be done halfway. I needed to be completely committed to Him.

He sent me that wake-up call, and through it I changed.

Then, in a blessing I’ll never forget, I got another chance when the Chicago Sky drafted me fifth overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft. Since then, I’ve stayed prayerful and continued to invest in my relationship with Him. I know He pulled me from the pit, and now He’s surrounded me with godly women who are constantly pointing me back to Him.

Now, I feel a responsibility to tell my story to encourage those who find themselves in my old shoes. I want to inspire others—no matter where they are or how far they feel from God, He is bigger than all of our problems and troubles. He’s bigger and He is mighty to save.

-FCA-

Photos courtesy of Shane Bevel and the Chicago Sky