by By Dan Ninham
Graduating Summa Cum Laude in college means “being of high distinction.” A Navajo women college basketball player is a resilient student-athlete of high distinction in New Mexico and Indian Country.
Jordyn Lewis, 22, is a senior basketball player at New Mexico Highlands University. She went to Ramah High School, Ramah, NM. Her parents are Boyd and Natalie Lewis.
Jordyn is Navajo and a member of the Meadow People born for Biligona clan.
Jordyn has had a high distinction journey in high school and college basketball. She has gone around, over the top and maybe even underneath if needed any obstacles that came into her path. She didn’t let the obstacles stop her in her empowered journey.
Jordyn had the two highest single-season point totals in New Mexico high school basketball history with 1,021 points (39.9 ppg) as a sophomore and 1,024 points (36.6 ppg) as a senior. She holds the NM state record with 64 points in a game and most 3-pointers in a game (14).
Her college accomplishments include playing two years at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. She tore my ACL freshman year and received a medical redshirt. She played her sophomore year at FLC and then transferred to NMHU.
During her sophomore year, she was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) offensive player of the week averaging 24 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jordyn was 8-16 from the 3-point line and 12-13 for free throws. She was named RMAC honorable mention. During her junior season she was named RMAC honorable mention.
“I am LDS Mormon and was raised with those beliefs and core values,” said Jordyn. “Growing up my parents instilled in my siblings and I that we were capable of anything we set our minds to. But at the same time nothing was going to be handed to us, and if we wanted something we’d have to work for it relentlessly. The sky was the limit and at a young age I knew basketball was my passion and something I wanted to pursue at the collegiate level. In my later high school years the dream started to become more of a reality.”
“My parents, dad especially, realized my talent was special,” said Jordyn. “I quickly went from local summer tournaments and leagues to an AAU team that allowed me to travel and showcase my talents out of state in California, Illinois, Texas, Arizona etc. This is where FLC was able to see me play.”
“My parents and extended family as a whole made so many sacrifices in making my dream a reality,” said Jordyn. “In doing this everything I was given, or able to accomplish, was a result of them and their never ending support. Everything I’ve been able to experience is a blessing, and isn’t taken for granted in the slightest. I was raised to remain humble no matter what and be grateful to our Heavenly Father everyday, which remains true to this day.”
“My parents have influenced me,” said Jordyn. “My dad was my first coach, and my mom was and still is my biggest cheerleader.”
“Being Jordyn’s parents is very easy,” said Boyd and Natalie Lewis. “She is the oldest of our four children and has always been a leader. She leads by example and has integrity. She is kind and loyal. She is thoughtful and she radiates goodness. Her fierce loyalty is what impresses us the most. You want Jordyn on your side. She absolutely loves family time and will pick that over anything else. She has always stood up against bullies and helped those in need or support.”
“These attributes sets her apart from most young women her age. There are young girls that look up to her and they often reach out to her. She loves when this happens but she doesn’t let it get to her she stays humble. She’s an instant friend and will do anything she can to help you. She does not let what is trending sway her in any way. She stays on her course and does not waiver. She has never cut corners or expected anything to be handed to her. She works hard to accomplish what she has. Jordyn inspires us everyday,” added Jordyn’s parents.
“We had the privilege of watching her develop on and off the court up close and personal,” said Jordyn’s parents. “From the time she started playing elementary basketball, we spent hour after hour perfecting her craft as a basketball player. Nobody ever saw, other than her and her family, the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into the basketball player she is today.”
“She was the typical ‘player of a coach’ who not only got coached hard during practice but also got coached at times harder at home,” said Boyd Lewis. “I knew from a very young age that she was given a special gift and the only way to maximize that gift was to continuously work at and develop it. What made and makes her special is she is her toughest critic. She constantly pushes herself to improve and be the best.”
“In the first game of her junior season, as she dribbled the ball up the court late in the game right in front of our bench,” said Boyd. “She made a cross-over dribble move that she had made a million times before. She immediately fell to the floor and grabbed her knee. We knew instantly that she tore her ACL. We watched her go through a missed diagnosis and weeks and months of pain and agony as she continued to play and carry her team. She played about 2/3 of the season in and out through the pain before finally receiving an MRI and getting the news confirming a torn ACL.”
“Jordyn overcame this hurdle that takes careers away, and returned to play at a high level her senior year,” said Boyd. “She did it in amazing fashion earning herself a full ride scholarship to play at Fort Lewis College.”
“Four games into her freshman season and the home opener, Jordyn again was doing something she has done a million times. She did a simple jump shot, and tore her ACL in the opposite knee,” said Boyd. “This did not stop her. She again rehabbed for six to eight months and returned at an extraordinary high level for her sophomore and junior years at Highlands University.”
“Jordyn has touched so peoples lives through the sport of basketball and will continue to as an educator,” said Boyd. “We are proud parents who continue to watch with amazement as Jordyn continues to blossom as a beautiful woman!”
Tucker Simons, Ramah HS (NM) basketball coach, supported me endlessly and to this day checks up on me and watches my college games,” said Jordyn. “We went through the recruiting process together in high school. Ramah was so small that both Coach Simons and I had no idea what we were doing but we experienced it together and he talked to several college coaches helping me sign my first national letter of intent.”
“Jordyn was always a leader on and off the court,” said Tucker Simons, Ramah HS basketball coach. “She always put in a lot of time at the gym. She was always working hard to improve and she mostly lead by example. She was a competitor through and through and she enjoyed the big moments.”
“Off the court she was always an excellent student when she wasn’t playing ball,” said Tucker. “She was working hard to improve herself in her academics and that has been one of the things that has carried her through the university. She has always been extremely intelligent I believe now she is one of the top players at New Mexico Highlands University going into her last year. She’s already graduated with her bachelors degree and is moving onto her masters.”
“Jordyn is one of those people that every coach dreams about coaching. She is always working hard and I’m great person to be around her and she’s a great competitor,” added Tucker.
“Rainy Crisp is the coach at what was one of the opposing teams in our district,” said Jordyn. “One summer she invited me to play with some of her girls in NABI, a Native American basketball invite. This was before my AAU days so she helped me experience playing with people other than my high school team out of state on a bigger plate form. She also supported me quietly throughout high school and continues to now. We keep in touch on social media platforms.”
“Jordyn is such a gifted and talented athlete with a humble heart,” said Rainy Crisp, Assistant Dean of Insturuction, Athletic Director, and Girl’s Basketball Head Coach at Navajo Preparatory School, Farmington, NM. “She is a coach’s dream athlete to coach.”
“Ramah High School and Navajo Prep were in the same district the time Jordyn played and every game was a battle,” said Rainy. “My whole game plan revolved around Jordyn. My girls did their best, but Jordyn would have 20+ points at the end of the game. What I love about Jordyn is she makes her players look great. She knows how to create to get her teammates open shots or layups but she also was able to create for herself too.”
“She has the basketball knowledge and IQ that many players don’t have. It’s something you can’t teach. Jordyn wasn’t only a role model for her small community of Ramah, she was a role model for the reservation. Many kids looked up to her. Some of my players looked up to her. I was very impressed with the level of play,” added Rainy.
“Jordyn carried herself with class on and off the court,” said Rainy. “She is an athlete who gets out of her comfort zone to get better. I was able to work with her during the summer and was admired by her work ethic. Young players want to be good but don’t put in the work to be good. Jordyn was in the gym all the time. She was asking for help and advice from people around her. She not only wanted to succeed in high school, she had a dream to play in college.”
“I am very excited for Jordyn to compete in her senior year at NM Highlands,” said Rainy. “She has worked so hard. She is one of the best players from New Mexico. Many athletes believe that you have to go to a big 4A or 5A school to get recognized at the college level. All it takes is hard work and dedication. If you want something bad enough, you will put in the work to get it. That’s what Jordyn did.”
“She’s a great athlete, but she’s an even better person. She will succeed in anything she puts her mind to,” said Rainy.
“After Rainy Crisp got me on the team, Coach Ryneldi Becenti was my NABI coach,” said Jordyn. “She helped me realize my potential by instilling confidence that I didn’t yet have. She made me believe in myself and put me in situations to be a leader on and off the court. Her experiences encouraged me to chase my dreams of collegiate basketball.”
“I have overcome injury and adversity to be where I am,” said Jordyn. ”During my junior year of high school I tore my left ACL. An athlete’s junior season is incredibly important especially when trying to get the attention of recruits throughout both the high school and Summer AAU seasons. Fortunately, my sophomore high school season and AAU season showcased my ability and talent well enough to get the attention of Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.”
“I rehabbed that summer, worked extremely hard, overcoming physical and mental barriers. I had to relearn how to jump, run, shuffle, pivot, etc. along with improving muscle strength. I made a full recovery and was able to play my entire senior season. Fort Lewis followed my rehab and the beginning of my senior season. I signed to play basketball at FLC during the early signing period on a full ride scholarship,” added Jordyn.
“As I entered my freshman year as a college athlete, I had so many emotions,” said Jordyn. “I was excited, motivated, nervous, etc. As our pre-season started, I adjusted to college weights, skill work and 6 am practices as we prepared for our home opener. I came off the bench into my first collegiate game and on a fast break I jump stopped and tore my right ACL.”
“The frustration was unreal but I quickly began rehabbing after surgery with my athletic trainers and support of coaches, teammates and family,” said Jordyn. “I rehabbed the remainder of my freshman season, qualified for a redshirt and continued rehab into the summer and was ready to play my redshirt freshman season the following year.”
“After my sophomore season I was unhappy at FLC and made the decision to transfer to New Mexico Highlands University,” said Jordyn. “This decision was beyond stressful for both my parents and I. I chose to bet on myself because I believed in my ability and talent. I walked away from a full ride scholarship and quickly began talking to surrounding schools including schools in our conference. After many long conversations, I decided to sign with New Mexico Highlands University who also offered me a full ride scholarship. This allowed me to get back to my home state and play closer to family. I acclimated to the new coaching staff and team and played both my sophomore and junior years as a starter, injury free. I am now entering my senior season.”
“Throughout the process, I was able to earn my BA in elementary education with a minor in coaching,” said Jordyn. “I graduated Summa Cum Laude this spring of 2020 from NMHU and I am now starting my Masters in Educational Leadership.”
“I am grateful for the obstacles that were placed in front of me throughout this amazing journey,” said Jordyn. “They not only have made me into the athlete I am today but have ultimately shaped me into the strong, confident and independent woman I am.”
“I am very blessed, and my life has been filled with incredible opportunity, experiences and people thanks to the amazing game of basketball,” said Jordyn.
Photo Credit: Sports Fanatic Photography
