Refereeing basketball has been an integral part of my life for nearly as long as I can remember. I began officiating at the age of 15, drawn to it not only as a way to stay involved with the sport I loved but also as a way to help my mom, who raised me on her own. Growing up in a single-parent household, I saw firsthand the hard work and sacrifices my mom made to support our family. I wanted to contribute, to help ease the burden she carried. Refereeing became my way of doing that. It wasn’t just a job—it was a chance to make a difference, to prove to myself that I could be responsible and help out while pursuing something I was passionate about. From the very first whistle I blew, I was hooked. What started as a way to earn some extra money soon became a love I couldn’t shake. Over the years, I’ve worked my way up from local youth leagues to officiating college-level games, and the journey has been nothing short of transformative. Now, at 20 years old, I’ve had the opportunity to officiate some incredible games, and one of my favorite memories was officiating a high school regional playoff game. It wasn’t just the intensity of the game that made it special—it was the camaraderie and teamwork I shared with the other officials. We worked so well together, and despite the pressure of the situation, there was a sense of joy in the air. That game was a perfect reminder of why I fell in love with refereeing in the first place. Through these experiences, I’ve grown not only as an official but also as a person. Refereeing has helped me mature at an incredibly fast rate. It taught me how to communicate effectively with adults—coaches, players, and fans—all of whom come with their own expectations and emotions. As a 15-year-old kid in the beginning, I was thrust into situations where I had to make quick decisions under pressure, and I had to do so with authority and confidence. Over time, I learned how to handle confrontations, how to assert myself without being disrespectful, and how to remain calm in the face of adversity. These skills have translated into every aspect of my life. I’ve learned how to hold my ground, how to be diplomatic, and how to build relationships even when disagreements arise. Officiating has been more than just a job; it’s been a crucial part of my character development. It has instilled in me a sense of responsibility, accountability, and discipline. I’ve learned how to be prepared, how to stay focused, and how to remain composed when things don’t go according to plan. And perhaps most importantly, refereeing has shown me the value of hard work and perseverance. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s certainly not easy, but the moments when everything clicks, when the game flows smoothly, and when you know you’ve done your job well—those moments make it all worth it. Looking ahead, I am more committed to refereeing than ever. This summer, I’m planning to attend as many referee camps as possible, seeking out hiring and learning opportunities that will help me take my officiating career to the next level. I hope to continue progressing through the ranks, and ultimately, I want to officiate at the highest levels I can. For me, this is more than just a job—it’s my passion, my calling. I’ve grown so much from the experiences I’ve had as a referee, and I’m excited to see how much further I can go.