By Rose Hutchins
Braylea Young, a sophomore at Duke High School, has been dribbling a basketball since before she could walk. Guided by her dad, she developed a deep love early on and has stayed connected with the sport ever since. In basketball, she plays both power forward and small forward, using her quickness and strength to make an impact on both ends of the court. This season, she focused on elevating her game and leading her team to victories.
Young has always known what it takes to be a successful athlete: hard work, determination, and dedication.
“I push myself to be better than I was the day before. I shoot at least 100 shots every night,” she shares.
She thrives on competition, but her biggest opponent has always been herself. Her dedication paid off when she was named Player of the Game during her freshman year. Young is also proud of having earned a championship ring in the AAU and being selected to play in the All Native tournament this past summer.
Young credits many people for shaping the athlete she is today, including her parents, Paw Paw, Nana, family, and numerous coaches who have been there for her every step of the way. Sports icon, Kobe Bryant made a lasting impact on her life as well. She often encourages others to study his “10 rules”. One rule reads, “Prove them wrong: use doubt from others as motivation to succeed.”
As a student athlete, Young always puts her schoolwork first, a responsibility that often means long nights studying and early mornings in the gym. She’s also an active member in STUCO and the yearbook team – demonstrating that balancing academics requires strong commitment and mental discipline.
Representing her school every time she steps on the court means the world to her. She especially loved seeing the younger girls in the stands who hope to play on the same court as her one day. She wants to encourage them to always remember one thing: “Work hard. Consistency matters. A winning attitude goes a long way,” she shares.
As she looks towards the future, Young hopes to continue her athletic journey at the collegiate level while pursuing a degree in education and eventually becoming a coach. Her goal is to give other athletes and students the same love, support, and confidence to chase their dreams that the people in her life have given her.
