It takes a lot to be your best at whatever you are doing. No one just becomes great, they invest a lot of time and effort and they overcome failures. As an athlete, Aedan Ellison says that there is a lot of work to be the best he can be.

“It has taken a lot of sacrifice,” he said. “There are long days in the gym and long days at work for my parents. One of the biggest motivations for me is all of the people ahead of me.”

Aedan is a junior at Ardmore High School, where he plays point guard and shooting guard for the basketball team. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Wolfpack AAU basketball team.

Throughout his life, there have been people that have had an impact on Ellison’s life, both as a person and as an athlete.

“I think my biggest influence is my uncle Anthony Kemp,” he said. He has been my trainer, coach, and has helped me grow in so many ways. The teacher who had the biggest impact on me is coach Anderson. She always kept me in check and always strived for me to get better even if I didn’t know it.”

As an athlete, Ellison has experienced a lot of moments on and off the court with his teammates. But as he looks back, he has a couple of personal milestones that stand out as his favorite.

“The highlight of my career would have to be when I scored 40 points in Las Vegas at an AAU tournament,” he stated. “Also, when I scored 536 points during my sophomore year.”

Being a new to the Ardmore athletics scene, Aedan knows that wearing the Tiger uniform is something that he will have to earn, but he will be proud to do.
 “It means a lot to be able to represent Ardmore,” Ellison said. “I moved here from a smaller town and I was scared, but my teammates embraced me and  accepted me. I also have a lot of relatives or kinfolk who are ready to see me play this year.”

While he enjoys competing on the basketball court, Aedan knows that in order to be able to do that, he has to do well in the classroom. Keeping those two things balanced can be tough but can be done.

“It just takes some work and dedication as I also have a job,” he said. “You just have to know your schedule and keep your priorities straight.”

All of the work that he has put in has helped him get to where he is, but Ellison also knows that he could not do it by himself.
 “I’d just like people to know that everything I do is for the man up above, and to just trust your work.”