After years of early mornings, long practices, and relentless dedication, senior Izabella Zamora has officially signed to play college basketball at Lake Forest University in Illinois.
Zamora, a key player for the team, is known for her sharp instincts, relentless hustle, and leadership on and off the court. Now, she takes her talents to the collegiate level, ready to contribute to the Foresters’ program and continue growing as both an athlete and a leader.
“The first time I realized I could play college ball was when I had my first call with a college coach,” Zamora said. “It made me realize there were so many opportunities out there for me, and I just needed to find the right one.”
But the path wasn’t easy. Recruiting is a competitive and often confusing process for young athletes. For Zamora, communication proved to be one of the biggest challenges.
“The biggest obstacle I faced was keeping in contact with coaches,” she said. “I was constantly texting coaches to let them know how interested I was.”
Despite the challenges, Zamora had a strong support system that kept her focused and motivated. “My family, especially my dad, have always supported me in playing college basketball,” she said. “They’ve paid so much for me to play travel ball and join leagues in the summers to elevate my game.”
Her story is not only one of athletic success, but of resilience and clarity of purpose. As she steps into this next chapter, Zamora wants others to know that they can do it too.
“Anyone can play at the college level. There are thousands of colleges out there looking for an athlete like you, you just need to find them,” she said.
With a growing focus on health, longevity, and leadership, Izabella’s goals extend far beyond the court.
“My mindset has shifted into making basketball and my physical health a lot bigger in my life,” Izabella said. “Now I’m focused on keeping my body healthy for my adult life and into a stronger level of basketball outside of high school.”
Izabella plans to major in chemistry, continuing to balance her passion for basketball with academic excellence.
She also offered insight into what she believes coaches are truly looking for.
“I think people misunderstand that coaches are looking for more than stats when recruiting players,” Izabella said. “Your leadership and mindset are the base for success in getting recruited, your skills are built up from that.”
Looking ahead, she’s excited to grow as both an athlete and a role model.
“I hope to grow into a stronger leader and help younger people to become college athletes,” she said.
Izabella’s signing was a proud moment and a shining example for aspiring athletes in El Paso. As she prepares to wear Lake Forest’s black and red, one thing is clear, her journey is just getting started and she’s taking the shot with confidence.
