Jared Figueroa is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Paradise Valley High School for AZPreps365.com 

PHOENIX—Earlier this season,  Neha Patel suffered a torn ACL, putting her flag football and basketball seasons to an end. 

But instead of letting it derail her, she chose to embrace the challenge.

The resilience is what makes Patel a respected leader among her teammates. Head coach Jim Libretti described Patel as the “ultimate teammate” and someone who leads by example. 

“She doesn’t just tell people what to do— she shows them,” Libretti said. “Even after the injury, she’s still at practice, still supporting everyone with a smile. She’s selfless and a natural leader.”

 A junior multisport athlete at Paradise Valley, Patel stands out on both the basketball court and football field, averaging 14.7 points per game last basketball season and scoring five touchdowns in six games for football. 

But what truly sets her apart is how she carries herself off the field—even in the face of adversity. 

“Adversity is always going to come,” Patel said. “Something I’ve learned is that pressure is a privilege. Injuries happen, and that comes with being an athlete, but it’s about having that will to come back stronger.”

Academically, Patel is just as impressive. She’s a stellar student with a GPA above a 4.0. She manages to balance success on and off the field with simple solutions– communication and prioritization.

 “I’m super lucky to have coaches and teachers who are extremely understanding,” Patel said. Basketball and football are big priorities, but I also know playing isn’t possible unless I prioritize my grades first.”

Patel first picked up flag football last spring after basketball season came to a close and it didn’t take long for her competitive nature and athletic instincts to shine. 

“I thought, ‘why not try something new?’” Patel said. “I love to compete— and a lot of what I learned from basketball is translated into football as well.”

 For her parents, Neha’s determination is nothing new. They described her as a “firecracker” growing up— full of energy, but also empathetic. Neha’s mother, Lisa Shah-Patel, talked about the mindset that her daughter maintains.

“She’s always been someone who cares deeply about others,” Shah-Patel said. “We’ve always tried to teach her to be kind to others and treat everyone with respect, and it’s something we see to this day.”

Even with success at a young age, Neha’s father, Rudy Patel, says one of her biggest hurdles is internal–as she constantly pushes to improve everyday. 

“Probably the biggest challenge for her is the expectations she sets for herself,” Patel said. “With that being her biggest obstacle, we’ve been fortunate as parents to have a daughter who looks at every obstacle as a challenge to get better.” 

One of her parents' proudest moments came during a Friday night rivalry basketball game last year— the day before the ACT. Patel scored a career-high 32 points, while also breaking the team’s single-game scoring record. 

But what stood out most to her father was how her teammates rallied around her. 

“They wanted her to have that moment,” Patel said. “That says the most about who she is–she lifts others and they want to do the same for her.”

As for the future, Patel has her sights set on college in hopes of continuing her athletic career. But whether on the court, field, or in the classroom, her motivation remains the same.

“I just want to keep getting better and bring everyone with me,” Patel said. “That’s what it’s all about.”