By Arzelle Lewis

Her favorite NBA players are Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook.

She’s four years from getting her driver’s license, and she still has a 10:30 pm bedtime.
However Avery VanSickle, a 13-year-old basketball star, already has something athletes twice her age dream of: recruiting interest from the University of North Carolina.
Avery and her family have received official letters of interest from the University of North Carolina’s ladies basketball program.

Avery’s father, Brian, said he was surprised when UNC head coach Sylvia Hatchell, reached out to his family showing recruiting interest. Brian sees these experiences as life lessons for his talented daughter, who’s still learning how to deal with her early success.
Avery has been playing basketball alongside older boys since she was a young girl. This has helped her develop into one of the best ball handlers at her age level including both boys and girls.
“Sometimes teams will face guard me and prevent me from getting the ball and scoring. When that happens, I look to drive and kick the ball to my teammates for open shots.”
Avery, a seventh grade book-smart athlete, has always been the one to make the play in critical situations. “My weakness is getting shots off in tough situations and staying confident when my shot isn’t going in.” Her favorite subjects in school are Social studies and Economics class.
Brian and Tami, are the parents of the 7th grade hoop star from Castle Rock, CO. Both parents were athletes while growing up in Colorado and even went on to play at the collegiate level as well. Brian was a forward on UCCS basketball team from 1990-94, at the same time Tami played point -guard for the UCCS ladies basketball team.