Sports Spotlight: Elijah Hulsewe, Windermere Prep basketball

At 6-foot-11, Elijah Hulsewe is a large presence on the basketball court for Windermere Prep

By Troy Herring
| 11:58 a.m. December 2, 2020

Sports

It’s hard to miss Elijah Hulsewe on the court, who stands at 6-foot-11 and starts at center for the Windermere Prep boys basketball team. The senior is enjoying his final season with the Lakers and is polishing up his game before making the leap to college ball.

When did you first get into basketball?

I first started taking basketball seriously a year and a half ago, when I transferred to Windermere Prep. When I was a freshman, I was on the freshman team, and I averaged under five points per game. I was un-athletic, and I didn’t have the right mindset. My grades went their own way — I had a 1.8 GPA, and I had to change my life around. I had a lot of haters, and they’re the ones who actually pushed me, because I wanted to prove them wrong.

When did you realize that something had to change?

At home, I had a family meeting — I’ll never forget it — my sophomore year, I was at Orangewood Christian, trying to change my life around and (decide) if I still wanted to play basketball or not. I’m late into this game — all of these other great athletes started when they’re young. I started just now, and it was just a decision whether I wanted to go for it or leave it behind me. I decided to go for it.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself over the last few years?

I feel like talking with teammates is a big key. Talking, socializing and knowing who you’re hanging around with is the biggest key I had to learn, because the people who I hung around with were losers. … Then I came to Windermere Prep — people have different mindsets, I changed who I hung around with, and they helped me, and I helped myself.

You’re the big man on the team at 6-foot-11. When did you get to be so tall?

I’ve been tall all my life, but the change for my body from 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-11 — it’s just I would eat the right food. I was on special diet, going to the gym every day and changing my habits around the house.

Is there a highlight moment for you at Windermere Prep?

When we won districts last year. We still never gave up, and we (then) lost by one point to Jackson, and we had to accept the loss and grow from it. The key moment was when we lost — it changed everyone’s mind. … They were more hungry, so we just have to be the more hungry team now.

What has this season been like for you all?

You just have to do your thing — put your mask on, come to practice, put your mask back on after your done. Obviously, there is a limited amount of people (who) can come to our games now. But I just say ‘Do what you got to do.’