She Hoops To Shine On and Off the Court

Written on the 10 March 2025 by Abby Wijesekera

For South West Sydney Academy of Sport 3x3 Basketball athlete Kaitlin Kumar, basketball is more than just a game, it is a passion that continues to grow every day. Kaitlin’s basketball journey is somewhat unique, as it began with a half-court built by her father, an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan, as somewhat of a memorial for the late Kobe Bryant. Growing up, Kumar was immersed in physical culture, but it was not until she began high school, and that new half court, that her passion for basketball truly ignited.

"My Dad is a huge Kobe Bryant fan," Kumar shared, "He built the court to honour Kobe's legacy, and that is when I really fell in love with the game." Said Kumar, adding that it was Bryant's bond with his daughter that mirrored her own relationship with her father, deepening her connection to the sport and inspiring her to pursue basketball in a more serious capacity.

Now, after two years in the Academy, Kumar has flourished not only as an athlete but as a role model. She began as part of the Academy's Indigenous Athlete Program in 2023, and has taken advantage of every opportunity since to improve her skills, both physically and most importantly, mentally.

"Getting to do sports psychology really helps with the mental side of the game," she said, "You can be the fittest, fastest person in the room, but it comes down to the mental preparation."

Kumar’s dedication to her off-court development paid off when she represented with a NSW Fijian team at a tournament in New Zealand, where her side was successful in winning gold in the competition. The experience was both a challenge and a triumph, putting to the test the mental skills she had sharpened through the Academy program. "Everyone has their own journey," she reflected, "Fighting those mental demons on the court was a huge part of that tournament, and because of the education I had received at the Academy, was able to put in those strategies to remind myself that I am good at what I do, I did deserve to be there. That really helped”, said Kumar.

Kaitlin’s leadership skills have also taken another significant leap through the Basketball Australia She Hoops program, which was founded by Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson. After being offered one of three of the Leadership and Confidence Scholarship in NSW on offer, which included several months of online education and mentoring sessions, Kumar attended a three-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where she trained alongside other promising female athletes and earned both her basketball referee and coaching certificates.

"She Hoops is great about promoting women and empowering basketball, the experience not only boosted my confidence, but also helped grow my desire to inspire other young women to pursue basketball”, said Kumar.

The passion however was almost lost this season as the Wollondilly Razorbacks were unable to fill an Under-18 Girls team this season, forcing Kumar to switch associations. This transition was bittersweet as she stated, "The age jump from Under-16s to Under-18s in basketball sees a big drop-off of girls playing, and finding an association that has a pathway for me to keep playing after juniors late is always tough", said Kumar, adding that “I loved playing for the (Wollondilly) Razorbacks, they are a small, yet very family, community focused club, hopefully they will continue to build their girls program in the older age groups soon.”  

Recognising the trend in older girls dropping out of basketball within the region, the Academy introduced the 3x3 basketball program in 2023, which has been a game-changer for athletes like Kumar. "3x3 Basketball is a faster, more intense game. You really have to focus on refining your skills with one-on-one defence and offence." The program's impact was evident when Kumar's team became the first from the Academy to qualify for the 3x3 Hustle Nationals, which take place in Geelong throughout April, on which Kumar stated "It made my day, it made my whole year."

Looking ahead, Kumar dreams of playing college basketball in the United States while also fostering her passion for forensic science. Her ultimate goal is to become a forensic psychologist, which she recognises will require as much discipline and dedication as her athletic pursuits. "I have a long way to go, but if I put my head down, I will get there one day."

Fuelling her drive is her supportive family and her desire to set an example for her younger sister Kherington, who is following closely behind Kaitlin’s basketball footsteps. "One of my main reasons that keep me going is that I want her to be able to look up to me," Kumar stated, "Because when I get on the court I have to be accountable for myself, and I want her to see that I was able to push through any challenge in front of me, and I want her to be successful in doing the same."

With her sights set high and her feet planted firmly on the court, Kumar is proving that with keen passion and unwavering mental strength anything is possible.

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