Freshman Forward Whitsitt Flexing Muscle On Court
Cheah Rael-Whitsitt has been a scoring and rebounding machine for the Miami Dade College Lady Sharks basketball team this season.
The scrappy freshman is averaging 12.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in 28 games. She has scored in double figures in 18 games this year including two 22 point games. Her rebounding has been equally as stout. Rael-Whitsitt has grabbed 10 rebounds or more in 17 games, including a 20 rebound effort versus ASA Miami on Feb. 14.
“Cheah is fearless on the court. She brings that hustle to our team,” said Lady Sharks shooting guard Antenique Young. “Even off the court she stays on the grind, working out whenever she can so she can be better.”
Rael-Whitsitt was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 6-foot tall power forward spent the first five years of her life there before moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
As a child, Rael-Whitsitt didn’t have her heart set on basketball. Instead, she played soccer recreationally with her friends and sisters. She started playing basketball during her freshman year of high school.
“I wanted to major in marine biology and be close to the coast while still playing basketball,” Rael-Whitsitt said.
That is how her amateur athletic union coach helped her decide to join the Lady Sharks basketball team in the summer of 2016. There is no doubt Rael-Whitsitt has been a good fit for the Lady Sharks.
Her talent was clearly on display in a game versus ASA Miami two weeks ago when she scored 22 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and she added five assists in a dominant 81-44 win for the Lady Sharks.
During her free time away from school and basketball, the 18-year-old enjoys baking and being in the great outdoors.
In the future, Rael-Whitsitt aspires to move on to a Division I school, while pursuing a doctoral degree in marine biology, but if given the chance, she would like to continue her basketball career playing overseas.
However, in the meantime, Lady Sharks Head Women’s basketball coach Susan Summons said she is fortunate to have her as a key cog on the Lady Sharks.
“I wish there were five of her,” Summons said. “[She is] a pleasure to coach. She’s not only a champion on the floor, but a champion in life.”
