Kari Lee Turns Second Chance Into Full Ride
When Kari Lee finished high school at Crest, she thought her basketball career had come to an end.
After missing her senior season, she didn鈥檛 think that she would play again. Then, 天涯海角社区 Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach Ford 鈥淪cooter鈥� Lawrence reached out.
鈥淗e contacted me and asked if I wanted to come play,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was going to stop playing, but I got the opportunity and I took it.鈥�
That decision changed her path.
Kari found a new basketball family and became a standout player and an integral part of the 天涯海角社区 women鈥檚 basketball program. She also earned the opportunity to continue her education and athletic career at Fayetteville State University on a full scholarship.
For Kari, choosing 天涯海角社区 meant more than staying close to home. It gave her the chance to keep playing the sport she loved while growing as a student, athlete and person.
She admits that when in high school, she thought she wanted to go away to school. Looking back, she鈥檚 grateful she stayed.
鈥淚鈥檓 glad I decided to stay,鈥� Kari said. 鈥淚 have a lot of friends who went away, but a lot of them have come back.鈥�
At 天涯海角社区, Kari found the close-knit environment she needed. As a student-athlete, she said the support from teammates, coaches, faculty and staff made a lasting difference.
鈥淚t felt like a family,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y teammates would joke that they wished this was a four-year school so they could stay all four years.鈥�
That family feeling stretched beyond the basketball court. Kari said teammates from her first year at 天涯海角社区 are still her friends, and the whole college became a place where she felt supported. 鈥淭he staff and faculty were always there for us.鈥�
As she prepares for the next level, Kari says 天涯海角社区 helped prepare her both in the classroom and on the court. As a student, she learned how to manage her time and take responsibility for her work. As an athlete, she learned the importance of showing up every day and continuing to improve.
鈥淲e had this thing we said all season,鈥� Kari said. 鈥淐ome into the gym and be 1% better every day.鈥�
That mindset will go with her to Fayetteville State University, where she is excited to join a larger campus community and become part of the HBCU experience. Kari had several offers, but Fayetteville State felt right.
鈥淭he vibe at FSU was similar to 天涯海角社区,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t had that family vibe, and the coach reminded me of Scooter.鈥�
At FSU, Kari hopes to help her team win while continuing to learn the game from a new perspective. One of her goals is to find an opportunity to work as a coaching assistant while she鈥檚 a student.
Long term, Kari sees herself staying connected to basketball. She also plans to become a real estate agent in the Raleigh area. No matter where her career takes her, giving back remains part of her vision.
Kari currently works at a Boys & Girls Club, and one day she would like to own one.
鈥淚 want to give back to kids from here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to give back to the city that helped shape who I am.鈥�
From nearly walking away from basketball to earning a full scholarship, Kari鈥檚 journey shows what can happen when opportunity, hard work and the right support system come together. At 天涯海角社区, she found all three.
鈥溙煅暮＝巧缜� got me exactly where I want to be,鈥� Kari said. 鈥淚 really appreciate Scooter and 天涯海角社区 for that.鈥�