Prospect Spotlight: Amari Conn (2020)

Israel Potoczny

November 20, 2019 @ 05:00 AM

One of the state’s premier returning players in the 2020 class, Lincoln College Prep guard Amari Conn is hoping for a full return this season after suffering a season-ending injury in the state playoffs last season. The TCU commit is a 5’7 guard who enjoys playing a fast paced game, brings intensity at the defensive end of the court and plays an unselfish game. She averaged 14.5 points per game last season and helped her team advanced to the state championship. She suffered an ACL in the team’s regional contest, but was on hand to root for her team. “Being on the bench cheering them on was something I learned from,” Conn said. “I knew we could do it if we just put our all in.” Conn didn’t play during the offseason as she focused on her rehab and said the experience has been tough at times and hopes she will be able to come back in time for the second half of her senior season. “Preparation for this season through rehab has been tough,” she says. “Some nights I still cry because I wish it never happened but other times I push through because it happened for a reason. So let’s hope I play second half of my senior season.” Lincoln has high hopes for the upcoming season at Lincoln and says there are several games on the schedule in 2020 that she is looking forward to. “Most of our hard games are in the second half because I won’t be able to play the first half,” she said. “I am looking forward to Bishop Miege because they always test us on our skills. There one of the hardest teams out here. My expectations aren’t very high this season just because I’m coming off an injury so I know my brace and knee has to get use to it. “But it’s all just a mind game for me. So I’ll do my best this season so I can be healthy for college ball.” Conn says the biggest influence on her basketball career has been her parents. “They have sacrificed so much for me and I want to be the best for them and myself,” Conn said. “I want to be better than they were in college. Another person that pushes me is my cousin Anthony who passed away. I always do it for him.” A fan of NBA guards Jamal Crawford and Derrick Rose and says she tries to implemennt several of their most popular moves. “They’re some of the most slept on players in the league and so am I,” Conn said. “There quick on their feet and nice with the ball. I always try to implement their jab and jab cross. Or step back (hesitation).” Conn says she fell in love with TCU the first time she stepped on campus and says the staff has made her feel welcome at her future home. “They connected with me and my family,” she said. “Their basketball program is my style. Fast paced, pass cut, dribble drive. I am hoping to bring energy, aggressiveness and just an all around player to their program.”