You’ve already earned two gold medals with USA Basketball and competed against some of the best young talent in the world. How did representing your country shape your confidence and approach to the game.
“I mean it was definitely a completely different situation. To be able to do that and to be able to put on my countries jersey but also represent my family and earn gold I mean it is just a completely different type of confidence. I have worked so hard and to remember how hard I worked and how far I have gotten I just need to keep working.”
Jacy Abii runs the break for Legion Prep in Toronto Canada.
At 6'3" you bring a rare combination of size, mobility, and defensive instincts. Which part of your game have you been most focused on developing as you continue to grow into your frame and skill set?
“I definitely want to get better defensively. I had an injury and I have kind of been a little different as far as coming back from the injury. I want to get better defensively as I head into college soon and I want to keep fine tuning my shot and get better at that on all levels.”
You’ve shown the ability to impact winning beyond scoring — rebounding, playmaking, defending. How do you take pride in being a complete player who fills multiple roles for your team?
“I mean, I have always been a person that you know looks up to see how people are looking at me as a leader. As a leader you don’t want to be like just oh she can score but she is not doing anything else as a leader, it makes me have the fight inside to make sure I am trying to do everything I can and do everything to the point that everybody else wants to do it as hard as I am, and at that point we win games.”
Jacy Abii with 21 points and 11 boards against Ft Erie in Grind Session Canada
You faced a tough setback with your leg injury heading into this season. What has your recovery journey taught you so far, and how are you staying mentally and physically ready for your return to the court?
“It definitely affected me in all types of ways spiritually, mentally, physically all of the above. I mean its definitely one of the most impossible things that has happened in my life and I think that I am going to continue to grow from it. I think looking back I will be able to say that it has really allowed me to grow. More than anything else I have gotten a lot stronger mentally, but I still have ups and downs. I am just happy to be out here to play with my team and that my team is allowed to play. I am just blessed and I thank god.”
Looking ahead, what goals motivate you — both short-term while rehabbing, and long-term as you continue your basketball journey toward college and beyond?
“For short term I want to get a bunch of wins for my team I want everybody to have a really good season just getting better and developing themselves, myself developing as a team player and then long term I am hoping we can win a national championship. We definitely have the talent we have some things to figure out but once we figure it out I think we will be a really scary team. Heading in to Notre Dame I mean I just want to be the perfect player going in to the system and that I am able to adapt really quick”
What about the WNBA?
“I am definitely excited for that and it is a long term goal. I have been looking at playing in the WNBA since I was a little girl and I have always wanted to be a pro. Looking at the WNBA right now I see it is on the rise, and it just makes me that much more excited. I will keep working on my craft and really start shaping in to the player that I want to be. At that next level I don’t want to just lollygag around and be a role player I want to make sure I am doing everything I can do so that whatever team that I go to, hopefully I get drafted, that I can be impactful in any way that they need me.”
