OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Named one of the nation's top girl's basketball players, Shawnee Mission West senior S’Mya Nichols didn’t appear in USA Basketball’s 10th straight gold medal triumph.
“I wouldn't say depressed, but I was really sad,” Nichols said Thursday, recounting a positive COVID test that sidelined her for the entire2022 FIBA U18 Women’s Americans Championship in Argentina. “I called my mom and I cried for a long time."
Quarantining in isolation and watching her teammates compete through YouTube live streams, Nichols described the experience as frustrating and rewarding.
“At first I was literally like, 'Do I even deserve to get a medal?'” Nichols said.
The No. 1 ranked U.S. side steamrolled through the international competition, beating opponents by an average margin of 45 points across the six games.
KC-area stars Jada Williams and Grace Slaughter claimed gold with USA Basketball’s U16 team in 2021.
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“I didn't want to just completely get away from it,” Nichols said. “I was there. I was in the same country. So I kind of just stuck with it."
Despite being unable to compete, Nichols was cleared from protocols to celebrate her golden accomplishment with teammates after the U.S. cemented a narrow 5-point gold medal win over rival Canada.
You heard 'em 🤣 @IsunehBrady 🤝 @SmyaKNichols
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) June 20, 2022
🇺🇸 #USABWU18 pic.twitter.com/SXqCzmRPMI
“She handled it, I would say better than any other 17-year-old could possibly handle it,” Shawnee Mission West girl's basketball coach Mark Rabbitt said, adding Nichols was itching to play in a team scrimmage hours after returning from Argentina.
Despite initial disappointment, Nichols says she's thankful to have had the experience.
“When I had to bend over and get the medal on my neck, I was like, 'Okay, I did work for this. I do deserve this,'” Nichols said.