Hello, my name is Dante E. Tutein. I am a 16-year-old, 6’6" young man, Class of 2021, looking to pursue a dream of playing basketball professionally. My Dad and Mom are in my life but, I currently live with my aunt, Njeri Tutein. I moved by my aunt because I  really liked her area and I fit in well. I was born and lived most of my life in the US Virgin Islands but relocated to Texas with my mom originally when I was 14. I moved during my freshman year and began playing basketball. That following summer, I decided to move by my aunt Njeri. I did not play basketball during my sophomore year because I was not focused at all. I was skipping classes (not doing drugs or anything, and just not doing what I was supposed to do. Skip my sophomore year... The summer after my sophomore year was wild!!! I received one of the worst possible phone calls, a call saying that my baby sister, who I was really close to (she lived in the US Virgin Islands) passed away in a fatal car accident. She was only 5 years old. I was devastated and confused. I traveled back home that summer. While there, I got an opportunity to represent my home country (US Virgin Islands) and play basketball in the 2019 FIBA International Centro-Basket tournament. It was a good opportunity but the tournament was only 2 weeks after my sister passed so I did not perform well. I wish I could go back and play better but I can't. I was so sad that my baby sister passed that that's all I could think about while I played in the FIBA tournament. I tried to get over it but i just couldn’t. Fast track to today, November 10th,  8:56 PM. I am a changed young man. I am focused and renewed. Also, I am willing to take any advice given. I am currently passing all my classes, A’s and B’s with one C. I am now motivated because I only have one shot at life and one shot to get scouted to play the sport I have so much love for. I want my sister Penelope to be very proud of me. She is my motivation. She is why I am passing. Penny is why I play HARD!