HOYT, KS. (KSNT) – Nahcs Wahwassuck is the all-time leader in points and assists in Royal Valley school history.
After a stellar junior year, Wahwassuck was recruited and invited to play for Link Prep Academy in Branson, Missouri. The opportunity seemed too good to pass up.
“Being from a small school where I don’t really get recruited or get as much publicity, and go to a school that plays on ESPN, that’s a great guy,” Wahwassuck said.
So, he packed his bags and moved to Branson to join Link Academy.
“He has always had bigger dreams of playing basketball at the highest level that he can, so we felt the opportunity to attend the academy was a good opportunity for him,” said Raphael Wahwassuck, father of Nahcs.
After an illness, an injury, and a couple of months away from home, his parents noticed something was wrong.
“We had some concerns that some of the ways he spoke didn’t sound like himself,” Raphael Wahwassuck said.
Wahwassuck found himself struggling, not on the basketball court, but with his mental health.
“I just got to the point where I didn’t want to do anything during the day,” Wahwassuck said. “I would be really down with myself, for no reason.”
He made the decision to return home, leaving behind the opportunity to put his own well-being first. He is grateful that he realized the seriousness of his struggles.
“It could make you do something that could make you no longer on earth,” Wahwassuck said. “I don’t want that for anyone. Everyone deserves to live a happy life. You shouldn’t live a miserable life.”
Due to KSHSAA eligibility rules, he wasn’t even sure he would be able to play his senior season.
“That really didn’t matter to me,” Wahwassuck said. “I just wanted to be home with my people and feel comfortable again, and be able to be happy living everyday life, even if it wasn’t for basketball.”
For the first time in his life, basketball had taken a backseat.
“It showed how important it was for him to be willing to take that risk, if he couldn’t play, just to be here with the people that he knew would support him,” Chris Brown, Royal Valley varsity basketball. coach said.
The coaches and players were more than happy to welcome Wahwassuck to the team and were willing to support him in any decision he made, Brown added.
Unfortunately, Wahwassuck had to watch the first five games of the season off the bench. When he was finally cleared to play, he got back on the field as quickly as possible.
“When they said yes, it was a huge relief for my shoulders,” Wahwassuck said. “I didn’t know how to feel, so I came to the gym and took a shot. Basketball, man, has taken me a lot of places and I’m so thankful to be able to play this game again.”
He hopes that other people can learn from his story.
“Your life can be taken at any second of the day,” he said. “Live happily. That’s the best way to live. If you feel insecure about yourself, don’t be afraid to talk to someone. Just know that it’s okay to not be okay.”
The Panthers are 13-0 to start the year and one of the best 3A teams in the state. Wahwassuck’s recruitment is still open.
