Lyon Chiang | 江承恩 

What is Basketball? 籃球對我是什麼

Basketball has always been more than just a game to me—it’s been a constant source of inspiration, discipline, and growth. At the American School in Taichung, I had the privilege of earning MVP honors for three consecutive years, from 7th grade through 9th grade. These awards reflected my commitment to improving as a player and a leader, and they were made possible by the unwavering support of my teammates and coaches.

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One of the highlights of my basketball journey came during my 8th-grade season when our team made history by winning the TISSA Basketball Tournament. It was the first male sports championship in our school’s history, and being part of that moment was unforgettable. The victory wasn’t just about the trophy; it was about the countless hours of hard work, the trust we had in each other, and the belief that together, we could achieve something extraordinary.

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Now, as a sophomore at EF Academy in New York, I find myself in a completely new and humbling environment. The level of competition here is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. My teammates are incredibly skilled, many standing over six feet tall and training with aspirations of playing professionally. Transitioning from being one of the best players on my team in Taiwan to now being one of the least experienced has been a tough but rewarding adjustment.

We train five days a week, and every practice is a test of my endurance, focus, and determination. While the journey hasn’t been easy, it has taught me the importance of embracing challenges and remaining open to growth. Each day, I strive to prove to myself that I belong on this team, working harder than ever to improve my skills and earn my place among such talented players.

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對我來說，籃球不僅僅是一項運動，而是我靈感、紀律和成長的重要來源。在台中的美國學校（AST），我非常榮幸能在七年級到九年級連續三年獲得MVP（最有價值球員）稱號。這些榮譽體現了我作為球員和領袖不斷努力的成果，這一切都離不開隊友和教練們的全力支持。

我籃球旅程中的高光時刻發生在八年級的賽季，當時我們的球隊贏得了TISSA籃球錦標賽，這是學校歷史上首個男子運動冠軍。能夠參與這一歷史性時刻讓我感到無比自豪。這次勝利不僅僅是為了獎盃，更是對我們無數努力訓練、彼此信任和共同努力的肯定。

如今，作為紐約EF學院的十年級學生，我進入了一個全新的、充滿挑戰的環境。這裡的競爭水平遠超我以前的經驗，隊友們身高超過六英尺，很多人都以進入職業籃球為目標。從曾經在台灣球隊中表現最出色的球員，到現在成為球隊中相對經驗較少的成員，這種轉變對我來說是一個艱難但值得的過程。

我們每週訓練五天，每一次訓練都在考驗我的耐力、專注力和決心。儘管這段旅程不容易，但它教會了我擁抱挑戰和保持開放心態的重要性。我每天都努力提升自己的技術，為自己贏得在這支才華橫溢的球隊中的一席之地。