The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize 17-year-old Ma’ayanot sharpshooter Nachama Stern as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Stern is a senior who has had a stellar career as a Rapid basketball player and competed in the semifinals in the Miami tournament 3-point competition.
Nechama is dedicated to improving her game; every week she goes to a park on the Upper West Side to practice basketball with a trainer, Nate. Stern told the JLNJ, “I met Nate in 2011 through a friend and ever since he has been a role model to me. When I started going to practice every Sunday morning, I was a very insecure athlete. I wasn’t particularly good at basketball, despite playing on the MDS team for three years, and I dwelled way too much on things I did wrong while playing. Nate pushed me to improve my skills tremendously and constantly put me in situations where I played against people much better than me, making me realize my potential and simultaneously building my confidence. It was only in 11th grade where I truly stopped being the insecure athlete I once was. I can really attribute all that to my five years of practice with Nate and his never-failing belief in me as a player.”
Nachama what is your pregame routine?
Before each game I focus on my goals depending on the team we’re playing. I imagine myself doing those things, and start off the game that way.
What is your favorite sports memory?
One of my favorite sports memories happened this year. Ma’ayanot was playing Kushner, and the second quarter was about to end. Someone passed me the ball and I shot from the half court line and made it, just as the buzzer went off. We didn’t really need the points, and it wasn’t the end of the game, but my entire team jumped up and went crazy. Their reaction made it one of the most gratifying and satisfying basketball memories I have.
What is your funniest sports memory?
This year, Nate came to one of my games to support me. Being the very loud and honest person that he is, all through the game he was yelling advice from the stands. My team knew he was coming but they didn’t expect the supportive yelling like I did. One of my friends was taking foul shots, and while she was, Nate was talking to me from the bleachers telling me the things I should fix. Naturally this was loud because he was sitting on the bleachers, and I was on the court. I remember it was so funny because he was just talking to me like we were having a normal conversation, while there was a game going on. He continued to do this all game, and by the end my entire team was cracking up at the way he phrased his constructive comments. This was one of the funniest games I played, and I really enjoyed having Nate interact with my team.
What is the best thing about being a sportstar?
My favorite thing about being an athlete is the self-motivation. If you want to get better, you have to practice. There are clear things you can fix and work on to improve your skills. Being an athlete means having a short memory and playing every game as a new one. Dwelling on the negative things will just affect how you continue to play. I also really enjoy playing on a team. Generally, people don’t give assists as much credit as they give actual points, but giving a nice pass that results in a shot can be as rewarding as making the shot yourself. Playing on a team and going through wins and losses with the same group of people builds a connection that is invaluable.
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
