(Photo: Brooke Faber/WCSN)
It may be Promise Amukamara’s ride off into the sunset. But her younger sister, Peace, should also be garnering attention from spectators with an eye towards the future.
The two sisters were running mates back at Glendale Apollo High School in 2011, but went their separate ways the year after before reuniting at Arizona State.
While Promise bolted straight for Tempe after her senior year, Peace took a less glamorous route to Division One College Basketball. Playing her first two years of college ball at Mesa Community College, a member of the NJCAA.
The younger Amukamara was a star for MCC, leading the Thunderbird’s to their first NJCAA championship in program history in 2014. While taking home player of the year honors with averages of 14 points, five assists, and two steals per game over the course of the season.
She was also voted MVP of the NJCAA Championship tournament that year, putting her ability to come up clutch in key situations on display throughout the journey to a national title.
She was at her best in the championship game, when she recorded a triple double to the tune of 23 points, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds willing MCC to victory.
Confidence in her game is something that Amukamara does not lack. When asked if her belief in her skills could be likened to that of a Mr. Kanye West, Amukamara responded with the bold and frank answer of, “yes I do.”
In April of 2014, Amukamara was presented with an opportunity that she just couldn’t pass up. It was the chance to team up with her older sister once again, this time on Charli Turner-Thorne’s team at Arizona State.
Amukamara has been the third leading scorer off the ASU bench this season, averaging 3.5 points on the year while seeing nearly 16 minutes per game.
Yet, her ball distribution ability has been the most impressive element of her game, as she’s tallied the third highest assist total on the entire team, with 60 on the year.
One would think that the switch from superstar to role player would be a difficult adjustment. But Amukamara has been completely accepting of her position on this team.
“It’s not a big deal for me,” said Amukamara. “Any way I can help out the team, I’ll do it.”
When playing team oriented basketball it’s vital to be familiar, and have excellent chemistry with your fellow teammates. There isn’t a much better way to become more comfortable with a new group of players, than to have played with their senior captain for nearly 16 years.
Amukamara had just that when she took her first steps onto the ASU campus, and older sister Promise has had a big hand in aiding Peace’s integration into this Arizona State team.
“Having her here helps me a lot,” says Amukamara. “Things like getting on the track, knowing what to eat, and knowing what to do and how to prepare,” are just a few of the many ways Promise has eased the transfer process for her younger sibling.
But if you think losing her older sister to graduation will make things tough for Amukamara next year, think again. When asked about how Promise’s departure could possibly affect her performance next season, Peace responded bluntly, “It won’t bother me. I’ve played without her before.”
A definite answer from a player who will be asked to step up in a major way during her senior season in 2016.
The exit of Promise leaves a hole at the two-guard slot in the starting lineup next year, and it’s a position Peace will most likely contend for this offseason.
And although she may not be exactly, “replacing” her older sister next year, Amukamara did have a few words to say about filling Promise’s big shoes at ASU.
“She thinks she’s better than me,” she said. “But it’s been fun and she taught me a lot, and I hope to continue right where she will leave off.”
