Star Basketball Player, Reshanda Gray Attributes Her Success to ASAS-LA programs

Reshanda was recently named a McDonald’s All-American

Raised in South Los Angeles, Reshanda Gray grew up in one of the most impoverished and violent communities in the nation.　 At the early age of 11, it was clear to Reshanda that with many of her family members in gangs, she could easily head down that same dangerous path. Luckily, Reshanda enrolled in After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles and, as Reshanda says, "My life changed course because of ASAS-LA. If it weren’t for them I would probably be dead or in jail." In May of 2011, Reshanda accepted a full scholarship to the University of California Berkeley, where she is currently a student and playing basketball for the Berkeley Bears.

Reshanda (center) pictured with ASAS Ambassadors Lebron James and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, and with ASAS-LA Founder, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the May 2011 fundraising event for ASAS.

At Reshanda’s middle school, one of the many activities the ASAS-LA programs offered was basketball. Reshanda recalls, "because of All-Stars, I would play basketball, which kept me away from the violence around me. I discovered I actually had talent for the sport." Reshanda’s raw talent for basketball made her actually want to go to school and to ASAS-LA programs every day. Homework assistance and tutoring from ASAS-LA mentors helped Reshanda to thrive academically as well. With programs focused on academics, physical fitness, and community geared curriculum, ASAS was able to give Reshanda life-changing opportunities, enabling her to embark on a better life.

In 2013, Reshanda help lead the UC Berkeley women's basketball team to sweet 16! Read more about her success with the Cal Bears.