Titan Athlete Spotlight - Jakoi Lide, Men's Basketball

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT - JAKOI LIDE

From the moment I first picked up a basketball at the age of four, I knew this sport was going to be a significant part of my life.

Little did I know, it would take me on a journey filled with excitement and challenges that would shape me into the person I am today.

Overcoming obstacles

As a young athlete, one of my biggest challenges was my size.

I was smaller and not as athletically gifted as some of the other kids.

But I had a few key people in my corner who believed in me and pushed me to keep going.

With their support and my dedication to improving, I worked hard every day, studying the game, watching film, and honing my skills.

I learned to use my size to my advantage and blocked out all the outside noise.

Making the leap

In high school, my hard work started to pay off.

I began receiving interest from colleges, and it was then that I realized I had a real shot at playing at the next level.

Being nominated for the McDonald's All-American basketball game my senior year was a turning point for me.

However, the recruiting process was far from straightforward.

At the beginning of my senior year, I was being recruited by quite a few Division I schools, but when the transfer portal opened, things changed.

I started receiving interest from community colleges, including TCC.

When I visited the campus, it was a no-brainer for me.

The culture of the team, campus, and community was exactly what I was looking for.

The coaches welcomed me with open arms, and I could see myself thriving here.

Community and growth

Transitioning from high school to college was challenging at first.

Living on my own for the first time and adjusting to the faster and more physical college game was an adjustment.

But with the support of my coach and teammates, I settled in and found my rhythm.

One of my favorite memories with this team was our comeback win on sophomore night against our rival, Pierce.

We were down by 10 with three minutes left, but we came together and pulled off a big win in overtime.

It was a testament to our hard work and teamwork, and it's a memory I'll always cherish.

Basketball has taught me so much about discipline, communication, and leadership.

Before coming to TCC, I struggled with being a vocal leader, but being here has helped me develop those skills on and off the court.

I've learned that communication is the key to success in anything you do.

Looking to the future

As I look ahead to life after TCC, my dream is to play basketball professionally and earn my degree in elementary education.

I want to continue pursuing my passion for the sport while also making a difference in the lives of young students.

But for now, I'm focused on enjoying every moment, giving back to the community, and giving my all to this team that has become my family.