Anhelica Shanrock drives to the hoop during the inaugural Native American All-Star Showcase in Reno on June 20.
SPANISH SPRINGS, Nev. — For as long as she can remember, Anhelica Shanrock has always had the sport of basketball on her mind.
Now she’s taking the next step — college.
Anhelica Shanrock will attend College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California, on a basketball scholarship this fall.
Shanrock, 18, graduated this spring from Spanish Springs High School and grew up on the reservation in Hungry Valley, Nevada.
“All I do is hoop,” Shanrock said in an interview with First Nation’s Focus. “Basketball is something I’ve learned to love, and I am so glad I will be going to school to play.”
Shanrock started playing basketball at the age of five, and it was then she fell in love with the sport.
Growing up in a family who did not play basketball, Shanrock took it upon herself to become the player she is today.
Looking up to professional players such as Kevin Durant, Isaiah Thomas and Diana Taurasi has motivated Shanrock, she said, to be a better player and role model for the youth.
“I just want to show my family, especially my niece and nephew, that you need to keep going,” said Shanrock.
Over the years, Shanrock has gained a pretty impressive résumé.
She was selected First Team All League (4A) during her senior season, and was leading scorer of the 2017 Local Sports Program and Northern Nevada Officials Senior All-Star girls basketball game at Carson High School on May 23.
Additionally, she ranks seventh all time in scoring at Spanish Spring High School.
Shanrock also played in the inaugural Native American All-Star Showcase in Reno on June 20.
This fall, Shanrock will attend College of the Siskiyous, where she will major in psychology.
Shanrock said she chose psychology because she wants to become a parole officer. After college, she plans to return home to help the people in her community.
Right now, Shanrock is excited to experience something new, which is why she chose to attend college out of state.
When asked to give some advice to the kids who want to follow their dreams, Shanrock shared an inspiring message.
“Don’t ever get down on yourself,” said Shanrock. “People are going to doubt you. They told me I wasn’t going to graduate, but I did. I knew I had dreams, and I knew I had goals. Now I’m going to school to do something I love.”
Jarrette Werk is a journalism student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and works for the Sierra Nevada Media Group as an intern, writing and taking photos for First Nation’s Focus. Email him at intern@firstnationsfocus.com.
