It’s no secret that women’s basketball, at the college and professional level, is garnering previously unimaginable levels of attention. It’s about time. But here at SPIRE Academy, women’s basketball has never been given short shrift. And if you’re looking for proof, look no further than former SPIRE baller—and current Towson University star—Khady Leye.

Leye graduated from SPIRE last year and plays as a freshman for Towson. She was just named to the All Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie Team; for anyone familiar with Leye’s record at Towson, this news will come as no surprise. In January—after a week in which she averaged 14.5 points per game on 50% (10-20) shooting for the Tigers, and 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals across two CAA games—she was named CAA Rookie of the Week. It was Leye’s fourth such CAA honor this season. And finally, after such a successful season at Towson, Leye has declared her intent to enter the transfer portal. 

These accolades are equally well-deserved and hard-earned. In her time attending SPIRE, Leye spent her summers here, training hard in every aspect of the game as well as on the performance aspects of sport. Performance encompasses both physical and mental conditioning. It ensures every student athlete’s mind and body are working optimally, above and beyond the training each receives in their individual sport. It’s the kind of training every student athlete at SPIRE receives, no matter what sport they play. It’s this kind of immersive environment, coupled with Leye’s intense desire to succeed, that has allowed her to reach the heights she has. Women’s basketball isn’t going anywhere. Nor is Khady Leye. And nor are the kinds of places, like SPIRE Academy, that can help ambitious young women like Leye make their hoop dreams come true.