by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Ava Houdek is White Earth Nation Ojibwe and will be a senior at Jordan High School next school year. She is a varsity basketball player and also plays summer ball for Minnesota Nice.
Houdek has played varsity since her sophomore year. She also plays at the 17U level of AAU and has been a top scorer in AAU tournaments. Her highlight is being named the captain of the Jordan HS Jaguars this next season.
Indigenous core values define how indigenous athletes practice and compete. Houdek said, “My indigenous core values define how I live every day. The seven Grandfathers teachings of humility, bravery, honesty, wisdom, truth, respect, and love are all words that I strive each day to live by. On or off the court these teachings are a core part of who I am and what I hope to live each day by.”
Striving to be the best every day is also what drives Houdek. She said, “I am currently working to continue to improve my varsity basketball game for high school and potentially at the collegiate level. I am working to achieve these goals by pushing myself every day to do better than the day before.”
“My main mentors are Pierre Ellis and Andi Nold,” said Houdek. “Pierre is my AAU coach and director. He has always pushed me to do my best and he has believed in since the first day that I met him going into sophomore year. He welcomed me with open arms and does not only help me with skills on the court but also in life with being a better person overall.”
Pierre Ellis, former head coach and current director of the Minnesota Nice AAU team, said, “She’s a very hard working talented ball player. She’s always on attack mode and very physical.”
“Ava first and foremost the team leader in regards to being tough and being consistent.
We played in a Denver, CO tournament in which there were a number of college scouts and teams from all over the country,” Ellis added.
After almost 40 games played this summer back home in Minnesota and interstate as well, Ava received a high honor in her last game and tournament.
“Ava was named a United States Junior Nationals All Star because she was the voice on defense that started her team to communicate in a loud gym,” said Ellis. “Her versatility on the boards and attacking the basket was strong determined along with knocking down two to three – three points per game.”
“Ava was the weekend warrior,” added Ellis.
“Andi is also one of my mentors and has been a coach for me during my middle school days and she is now the assistant varsity coach for me still. She has helped me so much with becoming a confident player and believing in myself. She also pushes me to do my best to reach my full potential,” added Houdek.
“Ava has a great work ethic,” said Andi Nold. “She has a team first mentality and always does what she feels is best for the team. She has strong leadership skills and works to build connections with everyone on the team and is fantastic working with youth and building our program and community.”
Kalley Kendall was the Head Coach of Ava’s team called the MN Nice Kal-E in the 17U division.
Kendall shared her thoughts about one of their elite athletes. She said, “Ava brings leadership and fire to our squad along with raw talent. In Denver her leadership was a key part of our teams’ success, as it has been all season. The fire she brings to our team is so important, playing in the higher altitude was a challenge for us.
“Ava continued to cheer on her teammates and communicate on defense which kept her teammates fighting ‘til the end. As Ava would say ‘all gas no breaks.’ She’s a talented player who is strong in the post position and equally as strong as a guard. On top of all that she’s just a great kid who loves the game and her MN Nice family,” added Kendall.
Last year was Kyle Johnson’s first year as the Jordan HS Jaguars head basketball coach. He talked about one of his team leaders and said, “Ava is a very positive hard working leader for our team and our program. She is very vocal in how she leads her teammates. She is always building up her teammates and encouraging them on and off the floor.”
“Ava is a positive role model and leads our team by example. Ava is not only a positive role model for her teammates, but also our whole Jaguar basketball program. She has helped with youth camps in the summer serving as a camp counselor, and she works wonderfully with our youth players,” added Johnson.
Photo Credit: Allen Houdek
