Gil Basketball Academy Player Profile Isabella Gonzalez In many ways Isabella Gonzalez has two families. Salinas, CA, May 16, 2020 - The 13-year-old lives with her two loving parents, two older brothers and
her nana in North Salinas. Away from home Isabella experiences another close-knit environment as a member of Gil Basketball Academy.
“Because of GBA, I have another family,” she said. “It has helped me become a team player, and taught me to always work hard and to never give up. I love playing basketball and I think, without it, I wouldn’t be as motivated in life.” The 5-foot, 1-inch shooting guard started playing basketball at the Rec Center at age 6, and joined the GBA Select Team two years later. This past season she averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. But it’s what happened off the court that affected her so profoundly. Sports have a way of creating a sense of unity, and that showed when Isabella’s mother Susie was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was in kindergarten, and as a 5 year old I was frightened that I was going to lose my mom,” she said. “It was so difficult to see her after her treatment and especially seeing her in the hospital. I would cry myself to sleep every night and also used to cry at school.”