Siblings sign with NTU hoops programs

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

CHINLE – When one door closes, another opens.

Two years ago Asia Kee was playing for the Chinle basketball team when, on her Senior Night, she went down with a torn Achilles tendon.

“I thought, ‘That’s it. It’s over,’” said Kee. “I didn’t want to ever pick up a basketball again.”

“She was different,” said Kee’s mother, Ursula Kee. “She didn’t want to play (basketball) with her friends. Nothing. I would tell her to play with her friends. They would play tournaments during the summer, but she didn’t want to. She just lost motivation.”

About a month ago Asia, now 20, went to pick up some paperwork for her brother, Joshua Kee, 19, who was recruited to play basketball for Navajo Technical University (NTU).

Asia and Joshua are Ma’ii deeshgiizhnii born for Tabaaha. Their cheii is Kinyaa’áanii and their nalí are Tódich’ii’nii. They are from Del Muerto, Ariz. Their parents are Ursula and Ricky Kee.

NTU athletic director George LaFrance spotted Asia and inquired about her injury. Then, without hesitation, LaFrance said, “I want to sign you, too.”

“My thinking was, ‘Asia, we are looking for female (athletes) for our female basketball program, as well. Would you like that opportunity?’” LaFrance said. “Opportunity knocks when it presents itself. It doesn’t happen often. When you’re at the right place at the right time to have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams.”

In disbelief, she didn’t respond.

“My hands were shaking…sweating, sitting at the table,” Asia said. “I just didn’t believe it because I never thought I would be back on the (basketball) court doing what I once loved after a huge injury like this.”

The injury not only robbed Asia of the sport she loved, but it also left her depressed, believing that she would never play again.

“It was hard to watch her go through that,” her mother said. “She used to always want to play. She played in little league and went undefeated with her team in middle school. She always played.”

Ursula stood by, wiping away prideful tears that both Joshua and Asia will continue playing basketball.

“(NTU) will not regret anything with these two,” Ursula said. “I know they both will give 100% on and off the court.”

“It was shocking,” Joshua said. “I can see the happiness shine in her eyes. I’ve always looked up to (Asia). My family has been supportive of us.

Asia continued to support her two younger siblings and encouraged them to play their best despite her injury. That was going well until she got some tragic news last year.

Her childhood best friend, Jake Guy, was killed by a drunk driver.

“(Guy) was my best friend ever since we were little,” Asia said. “All I can say is I thank my best friend for always being there for me and supporting me. He knew what it meant to me to play. He’s the one who told me, ‘It’s ok. You’re going to get back into it.’ To this day I just wish he was here. It’s an amazing feeling because I get to do what I love at a competitive level.”

Joshua and Asia plan to enroll for fall semester at the NTU main campus in Crownpoint.

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