When Zion Butler of Wichita South High School first stepped onto a basketball court, she knew she was at home.
“I started playing basketball when I was five years old,” Butler said. “When I was young, I used to study many basketball players, old to new, and take notes. I don’t think I play like a certain person, but I do take all the things I see from good players and put them in
my game.”
As a point guard, Butler gives you everything you want from that position. Her ability to shoot, handle the rock and open up the game for her teammates is why she is a difference maker on the floor. But Butler is comfortable in whatever role head coach Tshombe Phillips needs her in.
“The position I’m most comfortable in is the one where my team needs me to step up and make a play,” said Butler.
Butler said she loves playing with this team and is excited for the season to tipoff.
“What I love most about my team is that I get to play with my sister and my closest friends,” said Butler. “What I’m most excited about this season is seeing the results that my sister Mahogany and I have been working hard for in the off season.”
Butler said she loves the fact that hard work must be accomplished before you can be good at the game of basketball. And hard work is something Butler is not afraid of or avoids.
“Areas of my game I continue to improve on is every area. You can never be good enough to not work on something,” said Butler.
On and off the court, Butler said her family has played a big role in
her success.
“My biggest influences on and off the court is my sister Mahogany because she’s been there for the whole ride, and we’ve been doing everything together. My dad and trainer Brian Butler because he’s taught me everything I know, and my mom because she’s my biggest supporter in everything I do,” Butler said. “From being influenced by my coach Tshombe Phillips, I want to go into a coaching career because he has inspired me to become a coach.”
In her free time, Butler said she enjoys the opportunity to rest and recover before she returns to training and working on her game.
