Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Prohaska.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, my parents immersed my siblings and I in all different sports. I fell in love with basketball at an early age and ultimately decided to focus on it completely in eighth grade after receiving my first division one offers. My sophomore year of high school, I made the USA U17 National team and traveled to France and Spain and ended up winning bronze. After playing for Team USA, I committed to the University of Notre Dame in 2016 to play for the notorious coach Muffet McGraw. My first season, we made it to the national championship game where we ended up losing by one. It was one of the best experiences of my entire life. My seniors that year all continued on to play in the WNBA. I played there for four years, graduating with my bachelor’s in graphic design and a minor in digital media marketing. Throughout my years there I suffered blood clots in each of my lungs my sophomore year, it was a near-death experience for me a forced me to sit out and redshirt the 2019-2020 season with no knowledge of if I was going to make a full recovery or ever play again. After making a full recovery, it was in the middle of COVID with no fans able to attend games and a coaching change after coach McGraw retired. Now, playing for Niele Ivey during the covid year we experienced a learning curve but still managed to figure things out. My senior season, I had facial injury that forced me to sit out my second half of the season until post-season play. I had fractured my orbital bone and had to wear a face mask to finish out the year. However, we made it to the sweet sixteen. After my four-year tenure at Notre Dame, I entered the transfer portal and ended up having two more years of eligibility due to my redshirt and covid years. I am now currently finishing out my career at San Diego State University. Last year, we had the best season since 2013, having a winning record and playing in the WNIT. As this season continues, we are hoping to continue on the same trajectory, and I am now playing point guard a position I have never played in my life. So, it is a wonderful challenge for me to round out my career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Freshman year in the postseason, Final Four, and national championship game, I played with a broken thumb. My sophomore season I have life-threatening blood clots medically called bilateral pulmonary embolism. Junior year, I came down with covid and experienced some mental health issues that hindered my performance. the summer before my senior season, I had ankle reconstruction surgery on my left ankle putting me behind before the season even started. During my senior season, I fractured my face and had to wear a mask. Throughout all of these experiences, I learned that with heart, passion, a good support system, you can get through anything. Even when things aren’t going your way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and ultimately everything happens for a reason. It taught me to how to adapt no matter the circumstances.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently a student-athlete at San Diego State with aspirations to play overseas this next year. I am currently working on my second master’s in education counseling after graduating with my first master’s last year in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in gender studies. I am known for my passion, my work ethic, and my ability to lead. I am most proud of my resiliency and adaptability in my sport, in relationships, and my life. What sets me apart from others is my honesty. My friends and those who know me know that I am very honest but always for the best interest of those around me. I have experienced people saying things with no meaning behind them, and I have vowed to never let people wonder or guess how I feel or what I expect.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My grandparents are my biggest motivators for what I do and why I do it. Growing up, my grandpa would take me outside when he came over and shoot with me for hours, telling me to shoot it soft, treat the ball like an egg, and follow through with my shot. Sometimes, my grandparents would drive me to tournaments. There was one in Chicago that I will never forget. It was just us three and we blasted Jersey Boys and ate Twizzlers the whole way there. Moments I have had and still have with them keep me grounded and give me a sense of purpose
Contact Info:
- Instagram: aproha_12
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbyprohaska?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: abbyproha
