In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Makenna Marisa’s background and introduction to college and professional basketball
(03:05) How multi-sport training helped Makenna
(06:04) Developing your shot and fixing your mechanics
(08:44) The importance of coaches, mentors, and family in development
(11:45) Managing pressure and expectations as an athlete
(20:16) What athletes should be asking during recruiting
(23:45) Transitioning from college basketball to playing professionally
(26:43) Advice for young girls who want to play Division I
(31:35) Personal growth from playing abroad
College Recruiting Advice and Playing at a Higher Level
In this conversation with Athletes Untapped, former Penn State Nittany Lions women’s basketball player and professional athlete Makenna Marisa walks us through her athletic journey. She reflects on growing up as a multi-sport athlete, choosing basketball and developing her shot, selecting the right college program, handling pressure at a high level, and adjusting to life as a professional basketball player in Europe. Throughout this episode, Makenna shares her honest and grounded insights, which are especially valuable for young athletes and parents navigating athletic development and recruiting. This episode dives into the realities of playing basketball at a higher level. Makenna discusses how she built her confidence, how she made the right college recruiting decision, and what it takes to pursue a sport beyond college. She highlights that playing multiple sports accelerated her basketball development, confidence is a trainable skill, and success from the recruiting process is more dependent on system fit and environment than simply prestige alone. We also learn about the formative and demanding experience of playing basketball overseas, and how it can further your adaptability, independence, and mental resilience.
From Multi-Sport Player to Division I Basketball Player
Before Makenna fully committed to basketball, she played every sport she could while growing up in Pittsburgh, including soccer, softball, ice skating, and gymnastics. She specifically mentions how soccer played a major role in shaping her basketball game. Her role as a midfielder required constant transitions from offense to defense, sharpening her stamina, awareness, and footwork. Her participation as a multi-sport athlete made her more versatile and competitive, all while establishing a strong physical foundation to prepare her for the demands of Division I basketball.
College Basketball Recruiting Advice: Choosing the Right Program and Fit
Although Makenna comes from a family of Nittany Lions, with her mother attending the university and her grandfather playing on the 1954 Final Four men’s basketball team, her decision to attend Penn State was rooted in far more than tradition. Her decision involved an evolution of the program’s trajectory at the time, the role and minutes she could earn, the team’s style of play, and the overall team culture within the program. Her message to athletes and parents is straightforward: game reps, consistent minutes, and a system aligning with players’ strengths are indispensable to meaningful development. Fit, not hype, is what sustains a player’s growth.
What Young Athletes Need to Improve
Reflecting on her development as a young athlete, Makenna emphasized her intensity and consistency over complexity. She was competitive in everything she did, practiced at game speed, and gave 100% effort every day in practice. She talks about how she focused on short, consistent skill routines rather than long or elaborate workouts. These practices help reinforce the fundamentals and build confidence incrementally. Her advice to young athletes is simple yet effective: have fun, work hard, stay consistent, and do something well every day.
How to Shoot like a Pro: Basketball Shooting, Development, and Confidence
Makenna’s development as a shooter did not happen overnight. Before she became one of the best high school basketball players in Pennsylvania, with smaller hands, her shot changed frequently, and she struggled with power and consistency. When her mechanics were holding her back, she sought help from a shooting coach, returning to clean, foundational form. She made a point that shooting development is inherently non-linear, and as players grow physically, their shots will evolve with them. One of her most important mindset shifts came when she stopped obsessing over her results. Even the most elite players in the world have off nights; what separates them is their willingness to shoot the next one with confidence. Misses must be followed by effort. Sprint back on defense, stay engaged, and remain ready to shoot again confidently. Equally important, Makenna notes, is the mental side of basketball. College basketball is a roller coaster, and believing in yourself despite the outcomes is vital. Focus on controlling the controllables. Belief must come from within; no one is going to believe in you for you.
Want to Play Overseas Basketball? Here’s the Blueprint from Makenna Marisa
Following her career at Penn State, Makenna began playing professional basketball in Hungary. She notes the swift change in lifestyle from her college days. Recovery resources were limited, expectations for independence were greater, and daily responsibilities extended well beyond the court. Playing basketball overseas demanded adaptability, mental toughness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. The language barrier, reliance on public transportation, stark cultural differences, and homesickness all played a role in her experience. Despite these hurdles, Makenna deeply loved and valued this opportunity, crediting her time overseas with accelerating her personal and professional growth.
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