Episode 17: Kaili's athletic career, like many others we've had on the show, didn't start out with basketball. She began as a swimmer; her mom would drop her off at swim practice and her brother would head to the outdoor courts to shoot hoops. Once she finished swim practice, she would meet up with her brother and rebound for him before their mom picked them up.
Eventually, he convinced her to pick up basketball and, almost immediately, her career took off. Fast forward to senior year of high school and Kaili's getting recruited by Maryland, Ohio State, UCONN, Virginia, and many more. Initially, she wanted to commit to Maryland, but after experiencing the UCONN vibe at Midnight Madness with the likes of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi in attendance, it was near impossible to commit anywhere else.
After a college career that most can only dream of - two NCAA titles and both squads finishing with perfect seasons - Kaili began her extensive overseas career. Winning Player of the Year in Greece her first year out, followed by stints in Israel, Switzerland, Turkey, and closing it out with a championship in Australia, Kaili suffered a leg injury that brought her near decade of international pro ball to a close.
Today, she is the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at UC Santa Barbara and one of the most humble individuals considering her career accolades. It was such a privilege to speak with her about her story and learn a few important tips along the way!
If you are an athlete or content creator with an interesting or inspirational story to share, contact us and we'll be in touch!
