Help Ayomide Chase His Basketball Dream

Hello, my name is Ayomide Alao, and I’m a senior in high school at ISA Academy, a prep school where I’ve been given a life-changing opportunity to pursue my dream of playing college basketball. My journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m determined to succeed and make a better life for myself through basketball.

I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to the United States. Growing up, I always believed in working hard to achieve my goals. I first picked up a basketball when I was 15 years old, and I instantly fell in love with the game. I told myself that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I spent every day that summer practicing with my neighbor, pouring my heart into learning the sport. Eventually, I found a personal coach who helped me improve my skills, but after only eight sessions, my father stopped supporting me financially.

I didn’t give up. I got a job to fund my own training and continued working hard on my game. However, balancing work, training, and school became overwhelming, especially without consistent support from my family. Despite the challenges, I managed to join an AAU team in my junior year. Unfortunately, without reliable transportation or support, I missed practices, making it difficult to progress further.

This year, I almost gave up on basketball entirely. The stress and lack of support felt insurmountable. But then I got a call from ISA Academy, offering me an opportunity that felt like a lifeline. It reignited my hope and gave me a clear path to pursue my goal of playing basketball at the collegiate level.

Even now, though, I face financial challenges. My mom, while supportive, isn’t in a position to help me financially, and my relationship with my dad remains rocky. I’m doing everything I can, but I need your help to cover the costs of training, travel for exposure camps, and other essential expenses to prepare for college basketball.

Coming from Nigeria, I’ve faced many obstacles, but I’ve always believed that hard work and determination can lead to success. I refuse to let my circumstances define me. With your support, I can continue to grow as an athlete and a person, prove that hard work pays off, and inspire others who face similar struggles.

Every donation, no matter the size, gets me one step closer to achieving my dream. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my journey.

Sincerely,

Ayomide Alao