KUSUMA TELUGUNTLA. Athlete profile.


”I’ve always enjoyed watching basketball because it’s an exciting game,” said the 16-year-old senior at BASIS Flagstaff. But it was her passion for teamwork that made her take the sport seriously.


“Being a team player keeps me going,” she added.


“The hardest thing about basketball is that it pushes you more than you can be pushed at times. This has taught me that life can be pushy sometimes, but you can always get through it,” she said.


The physical conditioning that comes with playing basketball has also been a challenge and rewarding for Kusuma.


“Sometimes you have to appreciate the hard times you go through because they often create the biggest rewards,” she said.


The pandemic has brought about significant changes for everyone, but for Kusuma, it has been a reminder of how quickly the world can change.


“The pandemic hasn’t changed me, but it showed me that the world can change very quickly, even if I didn’t,” she said, adding that it made her realize the importance of universal healthcare.


Kusuma’s guiding principle, “It’s not about the personality, it’s about the hair,” showcases her fun-loving personality.


When asked about what advice she would give someone just starting out in basketball or her younger self, Kusuma says, “Start pushing yourself in the start, and it’ll help you until the end.”


Kusuma is grateful for the simple things in life that bring her joy, such as donuts, Spiderman, her friends, family, and minions. And for her, the ultimate goal is to maintain her academic excellence.


“As every previous year, I hope to get an A in calculus,” she added.


Kusuma Teluguntla’s story is a reminder that with perseverance and teamwork, one can achieve great things both on and off the court. Her inspiring journey showcases the importance of pushing yourself to the limit and appreciating the hard times that shape you into the person you become.


In the words of Kusuma:

  • “The hardest thing about basketball is that it pushes you more than you can be pushed at times. This has taught me that life can be pushy sometimes, but you can always get through it.”
  • “The pandemic hasn’t changed me, but it showed me that the world can change very quickly, even if I didn’t.”
  • “It’s not about the personality, it’s about the hair.”
  • “Sometimes you have to appreciate the hard times you go through because they often create the biggest rewards.”
  • “Start pushing yourself in the start, and it’ll help you until the end.”