Nakeya Isabell has been a true asset to women’s basketball in her time spent here at Pepperdine. Unknown to many however is the way she uses her athletic ability off the basketball court to help those who are less fortunate.
Isabell is a fifth year senior majoring in advertising with an emphasis in business who has a love for basketball and helping others.
“I admire everything about her wrote close friend and former teammate Teena Wickett in an e-mail. She is so positive and has such a big heart. When things are frustrating and going wrong she finds a way to make it a positive situation and [is] always looking on the bright side – I love that about her.”
Had Isabell not come back for another year of basketball she said she would instead be working in Southern California serving through some sort of mentoring program.
This is evident in Isabell’s recent “Athletes in Action” trip to Africa during the summer of 2008. After a week of training in Ohio with a group of female basketball players from around the nation Isabell took a two-week trip to Africa to spread the Gospel through basketball.
“We all came together for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to a place where it doesn’t really go and we were able to do that through basketball Isabell said.
Her teammates said the trip revealed Isabell’s passion for helping others.
Even though she was there playing basketball I heard more about how she loved just spending time with the families learning their lifestyle and blessing them in whatever way she could said senior forward Alisha Bryant. She’s always looking to make a difference in someone else’s life and this gave her the perfect opportunity to do so.”
For Isabell it was the experience of a lifetime.
“It was just so humbling Isabell said. It was a great experience mentally spiritually and emotionally … It wasn’t just about basketball either; it was about God. It has really helped me become spiritually connected and realize that basketball can be more of a worship.”
This spiritual influence solidified Isabell’s decision she made in January 2008 to come back for a fifth season.
As a junior college transfer Isabell had a few remaining credits to fulfill making the decision only that much easier.
“I didn’t have to think twice about [coming back] Isabell said. I love my teammates and I love the game so much. How could I pass up another opportunity?”
Isabell was forced to sit out during the 2007-2008 season due to an injury acquired in the preseason. After falling awkwardly in practice and cracking a bone in her left foot doctors inserted a screw and Isabell’s season was finished. But despite her discouragement Isabell said she would not change anything and has become appreciative of her former injury.
“I believe everything happens for a reason and it was tough but it matured me and I learned from it Isabell said. It made me not only a better person but a better athlete.”
Even though Isabell is the one her teammates-and coaches-look to when they need to talk according to Bryant Isabell said she couldn’t have gotten through her injury without the supportive team and coaching staff who are more than excited to have her back.
“She’s a great leader and with a team of five freshmen it is great to have her leadership on and off the court Bryant said. Just as the team needs her this season, Isabell needed her team during her time on the sideline.
Prayer just talking to people I trusted trying to stay positive and motivated encouragement from my coaches and teammates and just finally coming to the realization that I didn’t want to have a negative affect on the team … helped me realize that it was just another thing in life that I had to overcome Isabell said.
Her teammates appreciated the positive attitude that she carried with her daily throughout her injury.
Nakeya is a great player and to be able to play with her an extra year has truly been a blessing wrote Bryant in an e-mail. She is someone you love to have around because she’s always encouraging the team and pushing us day in and day out through example. She works harder than anyone I’ve ever played with.”
Just as she hopes for a successful final season Isabell also has considerable plans for life after college. Aside from her hopes of fulfilling her passion for helping others Isabell aspires to play professionally overseas after she receives her diploma by continuing her participating in athletics and finding an agent that can help her find a team overseas.
She plans to take the lessons she learned at Pepperdine with her.
“The most valuable thing I learned is to not take my talents for granted Isabell said.
In the meantime, Isabell believes her team will finish the current season on a positive and victorious.