What’s the furthest you would move to play the sport you love? Maybe a city or state. How about across an ocean?

Lujain Jallab, a senior point guard at Richland Northeast, moved to America from Kuwait to play basketball and landed in SC to live with her uncle and father.

The most notable difficulty for Jallab is that her mother did not come with them.

“She can’t really support me, like come to my games or see me graduate,” Jallab said.

With these many obstacles, Jallab has come up with ways to overcome them. 

“When I’m stressed out, I just play basketball and I just forget about all my problems,” Jallab said. 

The team recently ended the season with a record 8-14 after losing in the first round of the playoffs against Blufton. 

Originally, Jallab discovered her love for the sport in the ninth grade, when her friend introduced her to a club team. 

For most of Jallab’s high school career, she has focused on becoming the best player she can be. She has noted a change in the way basketball is played, with American players being more “shifty”.

“She leads, she’s a point guard, so she leads. She’s always there,” junior forward Sasha Cebula said, “When we mess up, she’s the first to give me a high five.”

The Lady Cavalier basketball team has seen a drastic change in the way they play basketball. Last season their record was 1-17 and their current record is 8-14. 

To teammates, Jallab is a vital part of keeping the team together and functional. 

“She’s the glue. Without her we wouldn’t  have been able to do anything we have done,” Cebula said, “Even when we are fighting, she’s the one who mediates. She’s the leader. She’s a captain.” 

Besides playing basketball, Jallab is a talented artist who has won awards such as first place in RNE’s art show. She likes to center her art on very emotional pieces. 

“I just draw my feelings,” Jallab said. 

Gallery • 6 Photos

Featured above is collected artwork from Jallab over the years.