MOST people don’t expect a student athlete to stand out. However, Oliver has shown clear progress since last season: his shooting accuracy and endurance has improved, and his mindset is noticeably sharper heading into the new year.

“I started going to the gym and shooting shots more often,” Oliver added. “Increasing the reps and giving yourself that practice is key to showing improvements.”

OLIVER has focused on the mental side of the game as well. Moreover, he has worked to keep pressure from disrupting his performance.

“WHEN I first started, I got caught in my head a lot,” he noted. “That’s why now I’m working on improving that way.”

OLIVER’S communication and sportsmanship stand out on the court. Those traits help him lift teammates and strengthen team cohesion, qualities that make him an effective shooting guard.

OUTSIDE of school, his routine has shifted to support basketball as a possible career. He now eats leaner means and more nutrient-dense foods to fuel training and recovery.

OLIVER sees himself going far in the sport. “The perfect player to me would be someone who shoots accurately, performs at their peak for longer, and doesn’t let mental challenges prevent growth,” he stated.

BEING a student athlete brings rewards but also major sacrifices. Participating in a sport takes away free time and forces students to change daily habits; as a result, many struggle to balance school, work and athletics.

“EVERYTHING that happens to me goes hand in hand: if things start going well in one part, the other part goes well,” he said. “On the other hand, when things go poorly, it can be hard to manage everything at once.”