JEM TSURUMOTO was told that she was too small to hoop for a Division I program. Say’s Tsuromoto, “If I didn’t believe in myself they would have been right.”
She played for the University of California, Irvine. But her journey to fulfill her dream wasn’t an easy task. Tsurumoto spent two years at Santa Rosa Junior College before she stepped on the campus of UC Irvine.
But don’t get it twisted, junior college hoops are competitive. While working hard to begin her next chapter, she snagged a championship. Wait … did I mention she did it with a broken hand and wrist? “It was the best feeling in the world knowing that you are better than every other team in the state of California,” said Tsurumoto.
After getting cut from the soccer team, she decided to give basketball a shot, let’s just say it was a blessing in disguise that she didn’t make the soccer team. Basketball taught her that whatever you put your mind to you can achieve it.
Says Tsurumoto, “People judge how you look or how good you are but at the end of the day they don’t know how hard you worked.”
Her dream to play collegiate basketball started when she was in the 5th grade. She was obsessed with basketball. Like seriously, you know the saying, “Eat, sleep and breathe basketball.” Her parents would have to make her come inside because she would spend hours outside shooting. Her childhood bedroom walls were plastered with magazine pictures of her favorite hoopers, including NBA legend, Michael Jordan.
Playing basketball at such a high level was fun for her. She enjoyed the sisterhood with her teammates, traveling, and doing what she loved while getting an education. However, once she stepped on the hardwood for practice none of that mattered. Says Tsurumoto, “Practice was cutthroat. Your spot wasn’t guaranteed so you knew to put your feelings aside during practice.”
Her passion for basketball led her to coach and encourage and build the self-esteem of young players. Says Tsurumoto, “I love coaching because I can watch players discover things about themselves that they may have not known was in them.”
I recommend that all girls o to college, not just to play basketball but to create opportunities for themselves,” said Tsurumoto.
Here’s a look at her advice for players who aspire to play Division I basketball:
- Believe in yourself.
- Give your best effort and work hard on and off the court.
- Work on the part of your game that you’re uncomfortable with — it will make you better.