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GiGi Garcia

Last year was a huge year for McClatchy: our Women’s basketball team proved just how truly amazing they are by winning the State Championship. They were led by their star player, now senior, Gabriella Garcia, who has proven herself to be an exceptional player. However, this year’s women’s team has suffered some grave losses: last year’s seniors Lauren Nubla, Destiny Lee, and Alex Washington have now graduated, and Gigi is unable to play her last high school season due to a tear in her ACL and meniscus. But this is only a minor setback for Garcia. She still has a bright future ahead of her, and her next journey will be at the University of Washington, where she has recently committed and received a full ride scholarship. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Gigi leading up to this unforgettable moment in her life, but without the ups and downs of her journey, she believes this remarkable moment would have never happened.

Gabriella Garcia started playing basketball when she was four years old, although she didn’t really play seriously until her freshman year, here at CKM. Basketball hasn’t been the only sport Gigi has excelled at. GiGi used to play soccer, and wishes she would have stuck with it. Gigi made the decision to focus on basketball in high school so she could excel at it and try and get a scholarship. Choosing basketball was probably one of the best decisions she ever made. She chose basketball over other sports because, “It’s something that I’m really passionate about, and I love the competitiveness but also the team aspect of it. And it’s something I’m really good at.” And being 6’2” definitely helps!
This also isn’t the first time GiGi has been hurt. She’s been majorly hurt two other times, and although this recent injury is preventing her from playing with the girl’s basketball team for her last year of high school, Gigi still has faith that her team can succeed without her. Gigi says, “It is a struggle everyday not being able to play with my team. I still go out and watch their practices to support them.” She believes the team will do fine, but says, “It might be a little bit hard for them to adjust without a big [player].” Gigi has to wait 10 months for her injury to heal, and is currently doing physical therapy. But in less than 10 months she will be ready to play once again, however this time as a Husky and not a Lion.

Although she had many offers including University Southern California, GiGi chose the University of Washington. At her signing Gigi’s dad talked about how their whole family bought USC gear, and it came as a complete shock when Gigi chose Washington. But only Gigi knows what’s best for her, and she chose Washington because of the culture and family environment. No matter the school, Gigi Garcia will succeed anywhere she goes and she has a bright future ahead of her. When asked about her future GiGi replied, “I hope to be healthy throughout college and play, and then I would love to go on after that and play professional.” All of us from McClatchy wish you the best of luck Gigi! Once a Lion, always a Lion!

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