There have been too many obstacles that I have struggled with during the training, so many that it becomes almost humorous to start counting. Many injuries have slowed me down and made me question whether I have wanted to continue. But I believed in myself. I never stopped training, even though it was very difficult to manage both studying and training. For instance there was a period during the training that I was not doing well with my lessons but with the help of my teachers and my coach I faced and threw away these difficulties. Thus, when the matches were played, I helped my team a lot. Every match was like a final match for me.
In the final match, we played against a very strong team. They were leading most of the time but in the end thanks to some stupendous play of our center and the schemes of our coach we won. The motivation to carry on playing basketball increased after that day and I’m still training.
In addition, I have learned so much about myself and have gained so much confidence so that sometimes I am amazed from what I used to be. I cannot forget the three-pointer I scored in the fourth period of the final when we took the lead. Usually I’m not an individualist player, but that specific time I was free to shoot, it was just me and the basket, I jumped and…it was in. I could not believe my eyes. It was not my first time that I scored a three-pointer but the meaning of those three points was crucial for the tide of the match. The crowd was screaming so loud because it was the first time in the final that we took the lead. I scored 15 points and got 8 rebounds that day. The final score was 91-87 for my team. I can’t forget the celebration after the match. That day was very important to me.
Finally, I can say that if I had to choose a significant day in my life I would certainly go back to the day I won the basketball championship because after that day I was more motivated and self-confident. I think that only with training I can be a great player. I still continue to play basketball here at AUBG and I’m planning to create a team with some friends of mine from Albania.