Obsession Breeds Talent - Aryana Iyer
Aryana Iyer is a rising freshman at Lawrenceville Academy in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and has played basketball since she was three years old.
Since I was three, I’ve always been chasing a ball. Basketball has always been my release. Some say I am obsessed with the sport, and maybe I am. When I am on the court, nothing else matters. It’s where I find my spark. It’s where I am able to be creative and strategic.
It’s where I am most myself.
In one of my favorite movies, Hustle, Adam Sandler passionately delivers the line, “Obsession beats talent every time.” I instantly felt he was talking to me.In that moment the lessons of tremendous effort, self-discipline, and resilience needed to achieve my goals were brought alive. It perfectly captures my philosophy in succeeding at an elite level on the basketball court and in my life.
As a fourteen year old girl playing point guard on PGHoops AAU’s high-school teams, I am faced with leading older, more experienced players while playing against high-caliber teams. In order for me to be successful, I have to gain the team’s respect and perform at a higher level under pressure so they trust in my ability. This requires me to quickly adapt my skills and harness my obsession for the game. By reviewing game film and being consistent in daily practices, I am able to achieve small goals that eventually lead to big wins.
Even though I am a younger and smaller player on the court, my agility, quickness, and ability to read the defense surpasses others. Weaving in adjustments to my defense, shooting form, and decision making, I set my team up for success and am a reliable coach on the court. During the most challenging moments, my obsession helps fuel my fire. I rely on my grit and determination to succeed against this level of competition whether it's on the AAU circuit or my school’s basketball team.
From this experience, I started to develop relationships across age levels, build trust, gain credibility, and execute with passion towards a common goal. By working the hardest on the court I am learning to become better than I was the day before. This is a persevering mindset that I apply in all areas of my life.
To me, success is not faltering against setbacks. It is rising under the pressure and delivering in clutch moments with mental toughness. This is especially true when playing against teams that outsize me. When I hit clutch three pointers over two defenders or give my teammate a pass as she cuts to the basket to score, I feel both assured and alive.
That feeling of camaraderie and confidence is something that I bring forward to my peers, ensuring they also are part of the experience and community. I apply the foundational lessons from this journey to all aspects of my life. Knowing that my obsession breeds my talent, I hope to one day play college level basketball and positively impact younger girls’ love of the game.
