Playing college-level basketball takes passion, discipline, and determination. Amesha Miller possesses all three.

“I started playing basketball maybe the first or second grade. I got on my first official team with the YMCA. I started on my first AAU team my fourth grade year,” Miller said. “I kept telling my dad I want to get better and seeing people in the league on TV, seeing how basketball took them places, I wanted to be like that when I was younger.”

From elementary school to college, Miller consistently worked to achieve her basketball dreams and aspirations. Being a college student comes with its own challenges, but Miller manages school, basketball, and her two-year-old son Avery.

“I have a schedule I have to stick by every day. I know my days are very structured and I don’t have that much leeway for error. But I will say it’s not as stressful as it looks. It’s about managing my time,” Miller said.

“I go pick him up, we play, we get baths, eat dinner and we get ready to go to bed. It may not be the most fun thing right now but it works for us.”

Despite Miller’s tight schedule, her determination never wavers. 

“I realized if I wanted to provide us with a good life, I was going to need a degree; having a degree can open up a lot of different doors and options for my life,” Miller said.

Student-athletes often struggle with balancing school and sports and in Miller’s case, motherhood as well. Familial and university support can be the saving grace for students dealing with the pressure.

In Miller’s case, family and friends come together to support her and Avery.

“My support system in Suffolk is very strong. My mom and dad help me a lot; anytime I call them they help me out with Avery,” Miller said.

“When I first got the call from my coach, she was very forthcoming about how she was going to provide as many resources as possible so that I can have an easy transition.”

Even though Miller has been playing basketball for most of her life, it can be difficult to deal with the low points. Miller finds the positives and turns losses into learning lessons.

“After the loss ay the Freedom Classic, I feel like it gave us a different type of spark that we didn’t have. We learned a lot from that game. Not to take things for granted and I feel like now, we’re going to move at a different pace,” Miller said.

“Don’t let up, that’s our motto now.”

Miller lives up to the team’s motto and encourages student- parents to do the same.

“Every time you start feeling overwhelmed about life, just look into your baby’s eyes and just see that their life is so much more meaningful than any amount of stress that you’re feeling in the moment – in the end, it will all be worth it.”