All high schools have multisport athletes, but Ironwood High School has a certain someone who stands out among most -- quite literally.

Meet 6-foot-4 senior Nyakuer Aguek, who not only dedicates her time to basketball and volleyball but track and field as well. Aguek is known as an overall outstanding athlete.

Volleyball head coach Lisa Lopez said that everywhere they go, people compliment Aguek and want her on their team. She said not only is it because of her height but her competitiveness as well.

“She really has that natural competitive instinct and drive,” Lopez said. “She is a hard worker, whether it’s in the weight room or on the court, and she is always wanting to learn.”

Basketball head coach Jamie Fellows believes she is going to be a threat in college no matter what sport she plays. Rightfully so, playing in college is part of Aguek’s future plans.

Aguek’s story spans beyond the realm of sports. Aguek has had to juggle a lot more in life than just school and sports.

Aguek was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 2002. Two years later, Aguek and her family came to the United States. How they ended up in America is not your average story. 

 “My family came here as refugees because our country was having a civil war,” said Aguek’s father, William Aguek.

William Aguek said he applied to the United Nations and was accepted. His assigned destination was Arizona.

Nyakuer Aguek lives in Glendale, Arizona, with her two brothers, two sisters, and her mom and dad. Nyakuer Aguek’s third and oldest brother, Ajang Aquek, lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he is attending Northern Arizona University on a full-ride scholarship for basketball.

Nyakuer Aguek said her brother, Ajang Aguek, was a huge influence on her playing basketball.

“I dedicate a lot of time to playing basketball and it rubbed off on them,” Ajang Aquek said.

He said he tries to mentor Nyakuer Aguek and lend her advice.

Fellows said she even thinks “seeing her brother go off to college to play has lit a fire under her.”

Ajang Aquek is not only someone his sister looks up to on the court, but off the court as well.

“I look up to him for everything,” Nyakuer Aguek said.

“I have a lot of siblings and I like being the role model to them,” Ajang Aguek said. “We have hard times, but we try to get through it.”

Nyakuer Aguek mentioned her hardest time was her sophomore year of high school. She was in the hospital for a week and a half because she had an anxiety attack. Once she was released she was unable to go back to school for another three months.

It was not only the stresses of high school that got to her but the students as well.

Nyakuer Aguek’s good friend and teammate, Keiala Kafoa, said, “People did not make her feel good about her color or her height.”

Nyakuer Aguek said students told her she was too dark, and they always asked her why she was so tall. They were mean.

Lopez said Nyakuer Aguek wore her emotions on her face, and she saw how much those words hurt her.

“It was rough talking to her about that and trying to mentor her and letting her know everything was going to be okay,” Lopez said.

Now, Nyakuer Aguek is much stronger mentally. Lopez said she is more comfortable with herself on the court and around campus, and she has learned to deal with criticism.

“Coach Lopez helped me out so much. She always knew when I was sad. She would just give me positive feedback,” Nyakuer Aguek said. “ I thank her for that.”

Although Nyakuer Aguek has encountered much adversity, it has helped her grow as a person.

“In general, I am energetic now,” said Nyakuer Aguek. “I am happy.”

“Energetic is a pretty good word for her,” said Fellows.

Her energy and her smile are her signatures.

“One of the first things I think about when I hear [Nyakuer’s] name or I see her is her big bright smile,” Fellows said.

Lopez agreed and said, “99 percent of the time she has a huge smile.”