The rhythmic squeak of sneakers on the basketball court. The resounding swish of the net. The thunderous roar of the crowd. These are just three aspects of basketball that Harris Kashifi (9) adores the most.
“I originally started off as a soccer player, having played that since I was little,” Kashifi recalls. “But I tried basketball once, and I’ve been playing ever since.” Kashifi played with Payton’s Place
Basketball for a few years before he decided to focus on playing for San Ramon Valley High School, as he plans on trying out for their freshman team.
He is extremely dedicated to his passion and trains 5 times a week. During each training, he lifts weights and does cardio, along with basketball skills drills. His dedication immensely relies on constantly practicing and improving his game.
On the court, basketball is much more than shooting the perfect 3-pointer or dribbling the perfect dribble. “I am motivated by the feeling of being around my teammates and competing for something good,” Kashifi shares. To him, that is what is most important.
Unfortunately, sometimes with every mile driven, there are roadblocks along the way. “It’s extremely difficult for me to put on weight no matter how much I eat and how much I lift,” Kashifi states. Basketball is a very physically demanding sport, so it’s important for players to have a strong physique. He is also one of the youngest students in his grade, which makes it hard for him to compete against bigger and taller players.
Despite the limitations in Kashifi’s physicality that he has dealt with throughout his basketball journey, there have been many influential aspects as well. “Basketball has been a way for me to escape everything and be able to focus on only the game,” Kashifi stated. “It’s taught me a sense of hard work, and working to achieve my goal.”
Kashifi hopes to continue playing basketball in college. He intends to continue to practice his basketball skills and improve day by day. “My dream is to play in the NBA, despite the heavy competition for it.”
