Q&A with Grafton basketball players Grace and Michael McNabb
GRAFTON, Wis. — Siblings Grace and Michael McNabb are both standout athletes at Grafton High School鈥揺ach particularly excelling in basketball. Grace is a senior this year and is looking forward to continuing to play basketball at Concordia University Mequon. Michael is a junior this year and is committed to leaving a legacy at Grafton High School. Both teens are hardworking and driven team players who care about using their voices to encourage and uplift their teammates.
Gracie McNab
Grade/Year: 12th Grade/Senior
Teams: Grafton Girls Basketball, Chapman Basketball Academy
What are your basketball goals?
Gracie McNabb: I鈥檝e always had the goal and dream of playing basketball in college, so having the opportunity to play at CUW (Concordia University Wisconsin) is very important to me. Another personal goal that I have is to positively influence those around me when playing basketball. I aspire to be a role model for younger basketball players as well as be a leader to my teammates.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage it?
McNabb: The biggest challenge that I鈥檝e faced in basketball is overcoming two major knee injuries which required surgery and a lengthy recovery period. . . . In order for me to overcome this challenge, I had to increase my mental toughness. Even when I didn鈥檛 feel like it, I did my physical therapy exercises to strengthen my knee, simultaneously working on my basketball skills to become a better player when I returned.
What was the best advice you were ever given?聽
McNabb: Always play like it鈥檚 the last time you鈥檙e stepping on the court. I believe my parents were the first to tell me this, and it鈥檚 impacted me ever since. Before I play in a game or practice, this phrase reminds me how lucky I am to be playing this sport.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?聽
McNabb: Right after school, I usually take about 20 minutes to rest and close my eyes. After that, I take about 5 minutes to meditate. I started this last year to calm my nerves before games, and it鈥檚 made an extremely positive impact on how I play. From then, until right before we take the court for warmups, I listen to music. Lastly, before the National Anthem, I pray. Praying gets me in a calmer mindset before the game, and reminds me to be thankful for the opportunity to play basketball.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?聽
McNabb: The best advice that I鈥檝e received from a coach is from my High School Assistant Coach, Coach Greg Capper. He emphasizes the idea of playing with pure effort. He often says that if one part of the game isn鈥檛 going well for you, there鈥檚 always going to be other ways you can positively impact the game. This . . . taught me how to expand my game in areas I didn鈥檛 think I could. Another piece of advice that has stuck with me is from my AAU coach, Russell Golomski. He instilled in me the confidence to 鈥渘ever stop shooting鈥� and to 鈥渘ever give up鈥�.
Michael McNabb
Grade/Year: 11th Grade/Junior
Teams: Grafton Boys Basketball, Chapman Basketball Academy
What are your basketball goals?
Michael McNabb: My personal goal . . . is to play college basketball at the next level and to play some form of professional basketball. My goals for this high school season are first and foremost to win the North Shore conference and make a deep run in the playoffs in March. Individually I want to achieve player of the year honors in conference and achieve all state honors as well. Overall, the main goal is leaving a legacy at Grafton High School and inspiring the next generation to achieve their dreams as well.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage it?聽
McNabb: The hardest challenge of every sport I would say is losing after putting your heart and soul into it for countless hours for years and years. Though losing is a very hard thing for me, I choose to look at it with excitement. . . . It means there is always something you can work on, lessons you can learn for when you are put in the same situations in the future, and new goals you can strive for to overcome the loss and surpass the level you were at before to ultimately win.
What do you love about your sport?
McNabb: I simply love working out everyday and getting better at my craft. Every day I鈥檓 able to go to the gym and do what I love to do . . . is a blessing in itself. I also love the team aspect of basketball with all members of the team combining their talents for one common goal and getting to know them more as human beings. That aspect will create relationships that will last a lifetime, which is much bigger than basketball.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
McNabb: Normally I go through the school day and then have a shootaround after school for about 45 minutes to an hour. Afterwards, I usually take a few of my teammates to go grab food before we have to be back to watch the JV or girls varsity teams play at 5:30. Before we run out for warmups I always say a prayer, because everything I do is for the glory of God, and he鈥檚 blessed me with everything I have in my life.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?聽
McNabb: The best advice I have ever received from a coach comes from my head coach Damon James of my high school team, and it鈥檚 that with success comes a target. Social media, people around me, student sections, and the outside world will always try to see you lose. So they will come at you and try to surpass what you鈥檝e accomplished and try to drain you mentally. He always says to tune out all outside noise and above all continue working through all the success and hardship that comes with the sport of basketball. The overall point is to remain so mentally strong that nothing will get in the way of what we want to achieve as a team, [or] what I want to achieve individually.
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