When she isn't grabbing rebounds and shooting three-point field goals on the court, Illinois State junior Cat Graham likes to dunk. This 5-foot-8 guard can actually dunk without leaving the floor. Graham slams on Playstation's NBA Live.
"I like playing Playstation," said Graham. "My favorite game is NBA Live. I love doing the dunk contests in the game because I can't really jump in my game."
Passionate about basketball, Graham has been playing since second grade when she learned from brothers Nicholas and Matthew that she would have to be tough on the court.
"My brothers claim they toughened me up and got me ready for basketball," said Graham. "They aren't even huge basketball fans, but they do come to my games and support me. I love my brothers and I am really close to all of my family."
When most people think of family they think of a mom, dad, and siblings. In Graham's case, she remains close with what most think of as family, but considers basketball to be part of her family as well.
"Basketball is an extension of my family," Graham said. "I couldn't imagine life without my family and my teammates have always been family to me."
Always looking to give her best to her family and teammates, Graham explains the importance of doing her best on and off the court.
"I don't feel comfortable giving less than my best," said Graham. "In individual sports, it's upsetting when you don't do as well, but in basketball if you don't do as well then you are letting other people down too. I like that pressure. I love having my teammates there and I know that they're going to be there for me in anything."
After a severe ankle injury her senior year of high school, Graham and her doctors were not too sure about the future she had in basketball. Many complications arose and her basketball career was in question.
"I hurt my ankle in high school," said Graham. "The doctor I first saw wanted to do surgery. I decided to get a second opinion. If it wasn't for that second opinion, I might not be playing today."
Graham avoided the surgery and has been playing basketball ever since. But that experience inspired her to study biological sciences at Illinois State. She aspires to go to graduate school.
"I am planning to go to grad school after I graduate," said Graham. "I want to concentrate on physical therapy, but I also have an interest and am open to the opportunity of going into the medical field to do my best to prevent situations like mine from happening."
Because of the ankle injury she had in high school, the Hanover, Ind. native does not take basketball for granted and plans to continue putting forth her best efforts on the court.
"In everything I do, I do it because I love it," said Graham. "I love basketball so I am going to go out there and give it everything I have and lay it all out on the line."
