by By Dan Ninham
Adia Walker, 15, is a tribal member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation where her dad’s family has lived for generations.
“My dad decided to leave the reservation and go to college in Reno,” said Adia. “That is where my dad met my mom and now my family lives in Reno.”
“I attend Reno High School,” said Adia. “I hold a 4.0 GPA and am on track to graduate with an honors diploma. I also study animation in the career and technical education program, The Red House Project. I am committed to academics, and I work very hard to keep my grades up.”
Adia started playing basketball at seven years old, and loved it ever since. She’s in the gym year round playing, training, and participating in speed school. When there aren’t any tournaments, Adia’s in the gym about 15 hours a week working on her game. Basketball training never stops.
“I started playing with a co-ed Native team from Pyramid Lake, NV,” said Adia. “I learned the joy of the game, how to laugh at my mistakes, and how much harder it is to win from the losers bracket. After that I played co-ed for a local club team, Jam On It. Jam On It reinforced the fundamentals of the game.”
At that point Adia started playing in a local recreation basketball League, Sierra Nevada Basketball. In sixth grade, she played competitive basketball, and joined Nevada Basketball Academy (NBA), under the training of Eathan O’Bryant from the University of Nevada and a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. She played with them for two years and it was my first AAU basketball experience.
“Eathan O’Bryant has been my coach since I was in sixth grade and he is one of the reasons I am where I am with basketball,” said Adia. “He has always been supportive. He always shows up when I need him. I still train with Eathan. He is a mentor and an advocate for me.”
“In order to participate in more challenging play, in eighth grade I tried out for Cal Stars Sacramento, based out of Folsom, CA and made the team,” said Adia. “We played many tournaments in Sacramento and the Bay Area, but also traveled to Portland and Orange County for tournaments as well.”
“Playing for Cal Stars Sacramento has taken me across the county to major tournaments in Louisville, Chicago, Roseville, and Orange County)in 2021, as a 15 year old starter for the U17 Blue National Team. The tournaments in Louisville and Chicago each had approximately 1,000 teams, 9,000 athletes, and 65 courts,” added Adia.
I was also a competitive soccer player (recreation and club) for 9 years, as well as playing basketball. I also competed in Rodeo from age 6 to age 11.
Adia’s accomplishments include playing for Cal Stars Sacramento, and competing in rodeos when she was younger. She often placed in barrel racing, goat tying, and pole bending.
“I was a freshman starter at my high school for all 25 games in the 2019 – 2020 season,” said Adia. “During that time, I was one of two freshman named to the 2nd team High Desert League.”
“Playing for the Cal Stars Sacramento U14, U15, U17 Blue teams has also been quite an accomplishment in itself,” said Adia. “I am known for my all-around complete game. I have gained elite level experience playing AAU basketball as a member of Cal Stars Sacramento (Sac Stars). I have played 150+ games with the Sac Stars against elite competition from across the nation. During the July 2021 season, we went 14-5 overall.”
Adia is a Sac Stars founding team member, as the club was established in 2018.
This season Adia has worked her way up to a starting position for the Sac Stars U17 Blue National team. The team traveled to tournaments on the Nike EYBL Circuit for 2021 and included tournaments in Phoenix, Moraga, Louisville, Chicago, Roseville, and Ladera Ranch, CA. They have played approximately 275+ competitive games since August of 2018.
“I have also been invited to the Santa Clara Elite basketball camp,” said Adia. “Along with the Saint Mary’s Elite basketball camp. I will also be attending the Nevada Elite camp.”
Adia has faced major challenges to be where she is. She said: “Traveling to Sacramento two to three times a week, for the past three years, to play games and practice has been a major challenge. All the travel while maintaining a GPA of 4.0 takes a lot of planning and dedication. Another challenge I am always faced with is being a younger player on the court. This season I was 15 years old and competing against 17 and 18 year olds at times.”
Adia shares words of wisdom for the youth: “Keep going even if you have a bad day or week because if you love what you do you will pull through.”
Photo Credit: Jon Walker
Way to go young lady have so much respect for you