by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Kori Rainwater is from the Cherokee tribe. She is a senior at Tahlequah High School. Her Indian name is ᏌᎶᎵ (Sa-Lo-Li) and means squirrel.
“My main athletic accomplishments are staying healthy for the most part and being given the opportunity to play at the college level,” said Kori Rainwater.
She is coming off a very successful basketball season and was recently named the District 5A-3 Player of the Year. After having 18 offers for college basketball, she committed to the Air Force Academy.
Rainwater’s indigenous core values defines how she practices and competes. She said, “Over the years I’ve learned that indigenous people are often driven, focused, and committed to the task at hand. I think this is what makes me competitive and driven.”
“I think by being indigenous it gives me the familial perspective. This allows me to view my team as members of my family to perform at a high level. I’ve acquired a ‘no-quit’ mindset, and have learned to push through adversity as my ancestors did when they walked the Trail of Tears,” added Rainwater.
“My dad is definitely my inspiration,” said Rainwater. “He is the most hardworking person I know. He pushes me past my limits, and makes me go out of my comfort zone and because of that I’ve been able to become not only a better athlete, but a better person.”
“I’ve learned to treat people with kindness and respect just as he does. Without him and his unconditional love and support I wouldn’t be able to be the athlete that I am or have that opportunity to play in college,” added Rainwater.
“I noticed when she was eight or nine years old that she was different,” said dad Joseph Rainwater. “She started playing softball and soccer and always played up a couple age groups with her big sister Echo.”
“Her interest in basketball began in sixth or seventh grade when she began to grow bigger and stronger than other players. She quickly figured out that she could actually be pretty good when she started getting accolades and invites from other coaches outside of our immediate area to come pickup with them,” added Joseph Rainwater.
“One thing she would always ask me starting out was ‘Dad, how do all these people know my name?’ and I would tell her that she’s made impressions that carry nationwide so keep working hard and build on those and make new ones. No matter where she ends up in life we all so proud of her and know she’ll do great things. ‘Fly-Fight-Win’ Air Force is the motto of her new university.”
Kori Rainwater signed her national letter of intent with the Air Force Academy. Her new coaches were not available for comment.
“High School Coach David Qualls helped me achieve a higher confidence in basketball,” said Rainwater. “He holds me to a high expectation that I try to go above and beyond to reach if not surpass. Outside of athletics he’s helped me be a better person. He’s done this by mentoring me on how to not just be a good teammate but a good friend.”
“Kori came to us in the late summer of 2020,” said David Qualls, Head Basketball Coach at Tahlequah HS. “She attended the Briggs School just outside of Tahlequah for elementary and middle school. We knew Kori had great potential, but due to COVID we didn’t get to participate in any team camps or summer leagues.”
“Kori played volleyball in the fall her freshman year, so we got her in the basketball gym in late October. Unfortunately, she was in a boot and had to miss the first month of basketball due to a foot injury. We didn’t get to see much of Kori on a basketball court in live action before the season started,” added Coach Qualls.
Coach Qualls continued to talk about his athlete. He said, “She began to practice with us in mid-November and started to get back in the swing of things. We played a varsity game in Coweta right before Christmas break and our starting post player was one of a few who had to quarantine that night due to COVID. Kori got the start that night as a freshman and finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. She was outstanding. We realized we had a special player.”
“My AAU Coach Amber Mathurin really made an impact on my life in and out of basketball,” said Rainwater. “She knew my potential and pushed me to achieve that. She knew how to coach me in a way where I learned the most. She also taught me to be a good person, but don’t let anyone run over me. She has done many things for me whether it was being a coach, friend, or mentor.”
Amber Mathurin, Team Trae Young Director, coached Kori during her final spring and summer of club basketball. “I watched Kori compete at the high school and club level for over three years. We were building an elite team in Tulsa with multiple D1 players in 2023 and needed one more piece to complete us. That piece was Kori. At the time, Kori had about five D2 offers, but I knew she could go higher if she had the right players around her.”
“After we spoke, she was all in. She wanted competition, she wanted D1, specifically an opportunity to play for the Air Force. Before her very first NCAA live period tourney, I called the Air Force assistant coach and told them all about Kori and her aspirations as a student/athlete. They showed up on our sideline and Kori had one of the most tremendous games of her career vs. a very talented post player who was committed to an SEC high major school. After a few more calls, the AF offered Kori a scholarship,” added Mathurin.
Coach Mathrin continued to talk about her former AAU player. She said, “After over 40 games vs. high major D1 talent, Kori knew where she belonged and where she could get the most out of her academics, career, and athletics. She committed to the AF and started the process of admission. She is a true example of what pivoting in life and taking a new route with bravery and perseverance looks like.”
“From an early age I’ve always been one to strive to be on top,” said Rainwater. “All through middle school and into my high school career I’ve been driven to be the best I can be and accomplish the most that I can while lifting up my teammates on the way.”
“When I have a goal there isn’t much that can prevent me from reaching it. Going into my freshman year my goal was to make the varsity basketball team. I trained and stayed after practice for extra shots hoping my coach would notice how driven I was,” added Rainwater.
Rainwater continued to talk about her varsity goals. She said “The season was inching closer to begin when I was notified that I made varsity. I went home that day so excited to tell my dad, and he reminded me that with one goal achieved I need to push for more. My next goal was to start varsity as a freshman. In some cases starting as a freshman isn’t uncommon but as for a freshman at a 5A school that has always been really competitive, it was a challenge I took head on.”
“Towards the middle of freshman season my coach allowed me to start in our varsity game,” said Rainwater. “That was one of the best days of my life. From that day forward I was a starter. Fast forward to the next couple seasons, I realized I had the chance to break a few records and even maybe hit 1000 points.”
The first record she broke was the girls’ single-game rebound record of 20. She strived to beat the boys’ single game record of 23 rebounds.
The second record she broke was the career block record. The third record she broke was the career rebound record and recently she reached her 1000 career points goal.
“My next goal is to be inducted into our Hall of Fame,” said Rainwater. “That one is yet to come.”
