Mack Thompson’s basketball journey began when she was just five years old, playing for a little league team in Poteau. Her passion for the game has been with her through every step of his journey.
For Mack, playing sports was almost a given. “Playing sports is something my whole family did when they were younger, so I always had the mindset that I was gonna follow in their footsteps,” she shares. Her biggest influences are her family members, especially her dad, mom, mimi, and pawpaw, who all played basketball. “They all played basketball from a young age till they graduated high school.”
This season, Mack has noticed something special about her team’s chemistry. “Our chemistry as a whole is really good,” she says. “Our communication and our bond we all have with each other is something special.” Mack believes this tight-knit group is a big part of their success on the court.
As a team captain, Mack plays a key leadership role. “I help lead the team and make sure everyone stays on track on and off the court,” she explains. “I have a really positive mindset when it comes to my teammates and what I know we can accomplish as a team.” Mack strives to hold herself and her teammates to the highest standards.
Mack’s goal for the season is to prove the doubters wrong. “A lot of people are doubting what the team is capable of doing this year,” she says. “But there are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that people have no idea about, and it makes me really confident in how we are going to play this year.” She hopes to show her teammates the power of hard work and dedication, no matter the outcomes.
Overcoming adversity has been a key part of Mack’s story, particularly a knee injury that cut her 8th-grade year short. “I got hurt in the third game of the season and had to sit for the rest of the time,” she recalls. “I did physical therapy for months and worked hard to get my knee back to somewhat normal.”
Looking ahead, Mack sees herself in the nursing field, earning her degree. “My most important plan after high school is going to school for nursing,” she says. “I’m ready to pursue my future.”