In Their Words: Ayzlyn Stroud

I had the privilege to catch up and talk to a young up and coming hooper from the Volunteer state, Ms. [player_tooltip player_id='822478' first='Ayzlyn' last='Stroud'], hailing from Cleveland, TN.  She played for Cleveland Middle School this past year and will be attending Bradley Central this upcoming year as a freshman. In the past she played travel ball for Tennessee Elite and now suits up for [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'].   A 5'5 PG, Ayzlyn is a tough competitor. A hard working kid who loves to compete. Has amazing court vision, can score it, but one of her best attributes is her ability to facilitate the rock. She is a selfless player, feeding her teammates with ease. The kid is a joy to be around, always doing things with a smile. Talk about the ultimate teammate, this kid is that plus so much more. When she isn't working on her game, you can catch her with her teammates doing Tik Toks (smh!). What I love about her is her infectious attitude and love for the game. Yes, she is young and just entering the high school realm, however, when it is all said and done, she will be going onto the next level to compete. I see it in how she carries herself and in her drive.   Check out my conversation with this up and coming Lady Bearette.   Me: Ayz, what happenin!   Ayzlyn: Oh gosh. Hey. You are such a goofball.    Me: Anyways, how have things been going for you?   Ayzlyn: Awesome. Currently right now I am enjoying a little down time before school. I have been in the gym, just working on my craft.   Me: How was your 2023-24 season both in middle school and AAU?   Ayzlyn: Well to be honest with you, both were great. We had a good year with my Cleveland middle school team. We didn't finish the way we wanted, but we had a good year overall. I loved playing with my teammates, girls I had been playing with for the past few years. A few of us will be going to different schools, but we are close and will keep in touch.   Travel ball was fun and enjoyable. I got to play with some new people from different parts of the state.I loved to meet new people and see the talent from other parts of the state. I also got to play in different cities and compete against some pretty tough competition. My squad had a good year and overall my experience was pretty cool. I wouldn't change it for the world.    Me: What was your favorite place to play this season in travel ball?   Ayzlyn: Well there were two places. My first would be Pittsburgh. We played in the WPA Bruins Tip-off and I liked the venue and there were a lot of tough teams up there. The city was cool and I loved hanging out with my teammates there. Not just my teammates, but all the girls in the organization.   My second favorite place to play was in Louisville, Kentucky. Run for the Roses was an amazing tournament and experience. Super fun. Great environment. It was fun to watch basketball all the time and see the college coaches walking around.   Me: Who or what inspires you to play the game of basketball?   Ayzlyn: Well, I love the game of basketball. It makes me happy. I could do it all day. My parents, family members, teammates, and coaches all inspire me. When you have people like that cheering for you, it's easy to go out there and just give it your best.   Me: What has been the biggest transition from middle school to high school?   Ayzlyn: There are a few things. The speed is one and kids are stronger. I also think the intensity level is different. Plus I feel like things mean much more at the high school level.   Describe the practices you have had to have over the past year?   At Cleveland Middle, our coach was always about attention to detail. It was repetition and execution. At B. Wright, the competition level was crazy because we were either playing against other kids my age or older kids all the time. Then at Bradley this summer practices were non stop and intense. So I feel like I definitely gotten better being in all three environments.   Me: What do you think is your best attribute as a player?   Ayzlyn: I love to dribble and pass the ball. I love seeing my teammates score and I value their success. I also feel I have a good court vision and a great feel for the game.   Me: You wear the # 10? Why is that?   Ayzlyn: I wear ten because my parents wore it as well as it's my dad's number in law enforcement. So it's a family thing.   Me: Do you think travel ball has helped prepare you to take the next step in high school ball?   Ayzlyn: Yes, I feel like it has prepared me for the upcoming season. I have had a great experience thus far, but I also feel I am ready to compete next year and contribute anyway I can.   Me: Who are some of the best basketball players in your area?   Ayzlyn: Gosh, well on my team, and I see them in practice. [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'], [player_tooltip player_id='290719' first='Harmonie' last='Ware'], [player_tooltip player_id='409074' first='Avary' last='Brewer'], and Tatianna Stovall are really good. Our crosstown rival has a girl in [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'] and she is good too. Our area is just good in girls basketball. Those would be the top ones I would say. But, I am looking forward to competing against others around as well as other parts of the state. I think that is what makes basketball fun, competing against others from different places.   Me: So Ayz, tell me a funny moment you have had in basketball?   Ayzlyn: Well it wasn't funny at the time, but I got my ankles broke. I just sat there. Shoot, my coach laughed at me. I couldn't do nothing but just say wow. I was so embarrassed. Hopefully it will be my last time.   Me: You talk about your teammates, tell me who are a few of your favorites?   Ayzlyn: Well, I have been blessed with some amazing teammates. Cleveland Middle I had some good ones and we were close. We had so much fun on and off the floor. At Bradley, I know I will have some good ones. They will definitely make me better. At B. Wright, I had some good ones as well both on my team and on other teams. Two of them that stand out in my mind are Addy Osborne from Mt. Juliet and [player_tooltip player_id='822475' first='Ariyah' last='Huffman'] from Cleveland. Ariyah has been my girl for a long time now. She was with me at Cleveland Middle. Addy and I just met this year and we hit it off the bat. The crazy thing is I talk to my teammates almost every day because we are friends outside of basketball.   Me: If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?   Ayzlyn: Work hard and be humble. Have fun.   Me: What is your end goal with basketball?   Ayzlyn: My goal is to be the best version of me. To always get better. I want to play at the next level and I want the game to take me places.   Me: Ayzlyn, thank you for your time. I appreciate you giving myself and the readers a little insight on what the game is like from your perspective. I know you will go on to do great things in your basketball career. My advice to you is to always work hard, have fun, and enjoy the process. This game will have its ups and downs. You just have to take it one moment at a time. We look forward to covering you more here at PGH Tennessee.   Ayzlyn: Yes sir and thank you.

I had the privilege to catch up and talk to a young up and coming hooper from the Volunteer state, Ms. Ayzlyn Stroud Ayzlyn Stroud 5'4" | PG Bradley Central | 2028 State TN , hailing from Cleveland, TN. She played for Cleveland Middle School this past year and will be attending Bradley Central this upcoming year as a freshman. In the past she played travel ball for Tennessee Elite and now suits up for Team Brandan Wright .