ROCK HILL, S.C. – NIACC’s Sonya Potthoff called the experience unreal.
The NIACC women’s basketball player along with three of her Trojan teammates Karly Holm, Alexis Schroeder and Keeley Steele attended the NCAA College Basketball Academy from July 27-29 at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center.
“The experience was so cool,” Potthoff said, “just getting the opportunity to play basketball and showcase my abilities in front of any major school you can think of was just so unreal.
“(UConn’s) Geno Auriemma was there the third day and Jan Jensen from Iowa was also there, which is insane.”
Selected players had to self-nominate themselves for consideration for the academy. The four Trojans, who will be sophomores in the fall, were the only ICCAC players to attend the academy.
The four participated in what was called the Juco Path, which was added to the summer academy for the first time this year.
The Juco Path is for incoming sophomores and was one of three paths at this summer’s academy. The other two were called Team Path (10th and 11th graders) and Individual Path (11th, 12th and international players).
The academies give prospective men’s and women’s student-athletes a sample of the college basketball experience. Organized with input from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the academies pair high-level basketball competition with life skills instruction.
In addition to basketball training, skill development and games, participants attended life skills courses about NCAA eligibility and compliance; the recruiting process; name, image and likeness opportunities, agents and the transfer portal.
“I learned a lot,” Holm said, “and was reminded of the other crucial components that come with the game.
“Due to injuries and some girls leaving early, my team was left with six people by the end of the tournament, which sounds stressful (it was), but it also reminded me of the importance that comes with the energy of the game and how it can fuel you mentally and physically.”
Potthoff, a 5-foot-9 shooting guard, was able to play an unfamiliar position for her team at the academy.
“I also got to play point guard a little bit, which was super fun to get out of my comfort zone,” she said.
Potthoff also said the weekend was a learning experience that involved more than just the game of basketball.
“The academy taught me to make meaningful relationships with my coaches and teammates throughout my college experience,” she said, “and also with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), I learned how important it is to be confident and brand yourself in how you want to be perceived for opportunities.”
For Holm, it reminded her just how much she loves the game of basketball.
“Basketball is my true love,” she said, “and to be invited to the NCAA academy was something I never knew I needed so much.
“Even though my team didn’t place well in the tournament, I would still choose to do it all over again. It only reminds me no matter how bad I lose or how many people we are down, I am still playing the game I love with others who love it too. What more could I ask for?”
