As a fifth grader, I walked into Allen Arena for the first time. I was with my mom, a proud Lipscomb graduate, as she gave me a tour of the school. For her, it was a walk down memory lane.

For me? It was life-changing.

The Lipscomb basketball team was practicing in the gym. I sat there, mesmerized. The sound of the sneakers on the hardwood. The sharp echo of the ball bouncing.

At that moment, I knew. I wanted to play basketball for Lipscomb one day. That was the dream.

And now, years later, I'm not only wearing the jersey—I'm about to step onto the biggest stage in college basketball.

March Madness.

More Than Just a Personal Victory

It's easy to watch the video of me receiving my scholarship or see me on the court and think this story is all about me, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

I'd be remiss if I didn't give all the glory to God... this journey has never been about just me. 

It's about how God used so many incredible people in my life to accomplish something that started as a young boy's dream. Yes, I worked hard. Yes, I stayed persistent. But I didn't get here alone.

The people around me—coaches, mentors, friends, and family—all played an essential role in my journey.

So as much as I take pride in where I am today, I know this is bigger than me.

The Power of Persistence

If you looked at my high school career, you wouldn't have guessed I'd end up playing Division I basketball.

I wasn't a highly recruited player. No major programs were knocking on my door.

But that didn't change my belief in myself—or my dream.

By my junior year, I decided to take initiative. If no one was reaching out to me, I would reach out to them.

Lipscomb was where I wanted to be, so I emailed the coaching staff every Monday at 7 a.m. For two and a half years.

I received a few responses along the way—each one honest and upfront about where things stood with their roster.

But instead of getting discouraged, I stayed committed. I knew this journey—whether it ended with me playing or not—would shape me in ways beyond basketball.

So I kept training. I kept pushing. I kept believing.

I enrolled at Lipscomb as a regular student, still holding onto hope. Then, during my sophomore year, a door finally opened.

I became a team manager, eager to contribute however I could. From there, I walked onto the team—a moment I'll never forget. And in December of 2024, I was awarded a full scholarship.

No words can fully describe my gratitude for everyone who helped me get here—the coaches, my teammates, and my family.

It took a village.

More than a Dream

And now?

I'm headed to the NCAA Tournament.

Every kid who plays basketball dreams of this moment—playing in March Madness, competing on the biggest stage in college basketball. But Selection Sunday made it real.

Seeing Lipscomb's name appear on the bracket, knowing we had punched our ticket, was something I'll never forget. Allen Arena erupted.

We hugged, we cheered, we took it all in. Because we weren't just watching March Madness this year. We're in it. We belong.

But even more than the tournament, the scholarship, or any points I've scored, the people have been the best part of this journey.

These guys aren't just my teammates and coaches.

They're family.

No doubt.

Enjoy the Journey

If I could give one piece of advice to anyone chasing a dream, it would be this: Persistence is your best friend.

The process—the long, difficult, sometimes painful journey—is more valuable than any single achievement.

Yes, I got the scholarship. Yes, I made it to March Madness. But if you ask me what means the most?

It's not the accolades. It's the relationships. The experiences.

The little moments—the early morning workouts, the tough practices, the late-night talks with teammates. That's what I'll cherish forever.

So if you have a dream, go after it with everything you have, but don't just chase the destination.

Enjoy the journey.

Because that's where the real reward lies.