Gil Basketball Academy Celebrates the Women of Basketball Meet Mikaela Arista In addition to her school work, basketball is everything for 17-year-old Mikaela Arista. Salinas, CA, March 03, 2020 - It’s everything to me, it’s my passion in my life,” says the Alisal High
School junior. “It’s been a huge support system for me and has helped me in all aspects of my life.” Mikael started playing basketball when she was only 5 years old, encouraged by her basketball-loving parents. She’s been playing with the Gil Basketball Academy since the second grade and made the Alisal varsity team as a freshman.
She says GBA taught her all the fundamentals of the game, but also helped her develop her basketball IQ — the game play, strategy and other aspects beyond passing and dribbling. Playing basketball also helped her develop life skills, confidence, communication, the importance of discipline and teamwork. “It really helped me succeed in school and do well socially,” says Mikaela, who won the Alisal team MVP award as both a freshman and sophomore.