Rickey Ballard is one of the best players from the Fort Lauderdale, FL area in the Class of 2022.
The 6-foot-6, 184-pound Ballard, who attends The Sagemont School, is a dynamic player that works as a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.
Ballard has earned plenty of recognition during his career, such as being selected as a Top 8 sophomore in Broward County.
Ballard is humbled by the accolade.
“Shows that the work I’m putting in the gym is finally starting to show and people are on the lookout for me now,” Ballard said.
No matter the opponent, every game Ballard is determined to give it his all.
Ballard is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Ballard steps between the lines.
“My mindset is to just kill the person in front of me and win every possession,” Ballard said. “I want to outwork everyone.”
Ballard has great passion and energy whenever he’s on the court. Ballard tells why he enjoys the game of basketball so much.
“I just love basketball. It takes my mind off stuff going on at home, school, etc,” Ballard said. “I just get to be me on the court and be free. It’s really my happy place on that court.”
Ballard has learned many valuable lessons from playing basketball that he applies to his everyday life.
“Basketball has taught me that you’re going to fail in some things you do in basketball and life,” Ballard said. “It’s how you bounce back that matters the most.”
Ballard takes his role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Ballard makes sure he’s a daily positive influence on his peers.
“I demonstrate being a good teammate by picking up my teammates when they’re down and being the voice of the team. I have their backs through whatever,” Ballard said. “The best advice I give is to never settle and to Keep your head up. Stormy days don’t last forever. Just keep working.”
Ballard is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“I have learned that being a good person off the court will take you somewhere in life,” Ballard said. “Even without basketball, just have a good mindset.”
Ballard patterns his mentality after these standouts.
“I look up to Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons,” Ballard said. “People say I’m built like KD and can shoot and dribble like him. My passing is similar to Ben Simmons with flashy passes. He’s a big guard like me.”
Ballard lists history as his favorite subject in school.
“There’s so much stuff that I never knew about, especially about my background of being black,” Ballard said. “I will always appreciate that subject for teaching me that.”
Ballard explains his collegiate aspirations.
“I want to play for Miami,” Ballard said. “Ain’t nothing like being home and I’ve just always been a U fan since I was a kid.”
Ballard is striving for greatness in all that he does.
“My goals on the court are to just ball, win a state championship and get some offers,” Ballard said. “Off the court, my goals are to have a good GPA, give back to my community and just help bring others up.”
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