Vishe' Rabb is a senior basketball player at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. She recently was named NSIC player of the week, averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Rabb was also named NSIC Freshman of the Year in 2019. She is originally from Springfield, MN and is pursuing her MBA in Business Administration and Management.
How did you first become interested in the sport of basketball?
Since both of my parents were athletes, it was a “ball in the crib” type of thing. I started playing really young and my mom really encouraged me to find something that genuinely made me happy.
What are you most excited about this season?
I am most excited about the team chemistry and the normalcy that we will have this year. Following the COVID-19 year and finally getting over my injuries, it has made me appreciate the season even more. With games coming up, I am happy to be going to practice every day and spending time with my teammates!
What is the biggest reason for your success?
My biggest reason for success was my support system. Family and friends have been there for a lot of steps of my basketball career, specifically my mom. Every athlete knows that growing in your sport requires a little frustration to improve your skills and overall basketball IQ.
Putting in the time was important, but having someone to constantly uplift me when I wasn’t feeling the most confident was an even bigger factor to getting where I am today.
Why is it important for us to elevate Black women voices in sports?
I believe that we must elevate Black women in sports because of the lack of representation that we have received in the media in the past. Telling experiences that we have had to deal with opens up the discussion for how sports at all levels can prevent similar things from happening again for younger girls entering a sport.
Women shouldn’t have to worry about the way they fit into society's preconceived notions, but how they can excel and enjoy their sport.
Have you ever been judged on your appearance rather than your ability?
Sadly, I have had experiences where I have felt that my appearance was judged before my ability or for a justification for my ability.
The way my skill was perceived growing up was somewhat put on the fact that I was Black.
My parents knew the work I was putting in, but people disregarded that. It affected the way I saw myself and it felt that I was being judged on different things than my teammates or other players in my area growing up.
What does it mean to you to "Defend Rights" in sports?
I think that "Defending Rights" in sports is giving representation for BIPOC in sports.
It is important to remember that social issues don’t just stop once we step on the court.
By recognizing the hardships that people have had to overcome to have success in their sport is also recognizing the disadvantages that are still in place in sports today.
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