Journey to success

By: Brandon T

When you think of the word basketball, what comes to your mind? Do you think of your favorite athlete? For 16 year old Andy Pham, basketball wasn't only the beginning of a passion, but the beginning of a lesson no book could ever teach.

Pham: “My inspiration for playing basketball was Paul George he's my inspiration, I want to play like him”

Pham has played basketball from such a young age and has had many moments playing basketball, and enjoyed it.

Pham: “What I enjoy while playing basketball is playing with friends like my friend here named Brandon Tran. I have played with him since 7th grade at Bridges Academy, and currently here at Yerba Buena as well”.

Both in middle school and now in high school, Pham  and I played two positions throughout our career. 

Pham: “I think I would say I’m more of a shooting guard because I like to shoot, but last year I played point guard for the JV team, and was captain of the team”.

Playing sports in general can teach you many life lessons, or habits to implement in your everyday life, and Pham learnt just that.

Pham: “Basketball has taught me not to be selfish because in basketball that's a team sport, and you can't be selfish. So I learned not to be selfish. And patience I also learned because in basketball I learned you need patience to be great".

With both basketball and school in the equation of Pham’s life, he figures what to do in the future with basketball.

Pham: “Well when I was younger I dreamed about being in the NBA, but since I got older, I got bored of the sport. It's more like playing basketball for four years in highschool  so it looks good on my applications. I might consider playing in a men's league. But other than that, I surely won't wanna become pro or anything like that”.

Pham also has other hobbies other than basketball.

Pham: “I like to go to the gym everyday and like to be consistent with it, and that's basically it”.

Outside of basketball, like any other highschooler, Pham plans on having his focus towards going to a UC after graduation. 

Pham: “After my 4 years at YB I plan on going to UC Irvine, and want to major in business, particularly economics”. “I would probably want to become  an entrepreneur, open my own business and make my own money. Like becoming a lone shark you know what I'm saying”.

Being able to be open minded, and able to make the choice to take risks is what worked for Pham 

Pham: “For my upcoming basketball players and highschoolers in general. You know I remember this thing from Kobe, he said something along the lines of “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” or something.  So I say keep shooting like trying new stuff, and yeah”.

Pham learning this quote allowed him to be able to do new things that he never thought he would. With basketball being a part of Pham’s youth, it’s still something he holds close to him while he plans what to do after highschool. And again with basketball it taught him lessons that he will forever keep, like patience, which is needed to be great.