Kari Lee Turns Second Chance Into Full Ride
When Kari Lee finished high school at Crest, she thought her basketball career had come to an end.
After missing her senior season, she didn’t think that she would play again. Then, Cleveland Community College Women’s Basketball Coach Ford “Scooter” Lawrence reached out.
“He contacted me and asked if I wanted to come play,” she said. “I was going to stop playing, but I got the opportunity and I took it.”
That decision changed her path.
Kari found a new basketball family and became a standout player and an integral part of the CCC women’s basketball program. She also earned the opportunity to continue her education and athletic career at Fayetteville State University on a full scholarship.
For Kari, choosing CCC meant more than staying close to home. It gave her the chance to keep playing the sport she loved while growing as a student, athlete and person.
She admits that when in high school, she thought she wanted to go away to school. Looking back, she’s grateful she stayed.
“I’m glad I decided to stay,” Kari said. “I have a lot of friends who went away, but a lot of them have come back.”
At CCC, Kari found the close-knit environment she needed. As a student-athlete, she said the support from teammates, coaches, faculty and staff made a lasting difference.
“It felt like a family,” she said. “My teammates would joke that they wished this was a four-year school so they could stay all four years.”
That family feeling stretched beyond the basketball court. Kari said teammates from her first year at CCC are still her friends, and the whole college became a place where she felt supported. “The staff and faculty were always there for us.”
As she prepares for the next level, Kari says CCC helped prepare her both in the classroom and on the court. As a student, she learned how to manage her time and take responsibility for her work. As an athlete, she learned the importance of showing up every day and continuing to improve.
“We had this thing we said all season,” Kari said. “Come into the gym and be 1% better every day.”
That mindset will go with her to Fayetteville State University, where she is excited to join a larger campus community and become part of the HBCU experience. Kari had several offers, but Fayetteville State felt right.
“The vibe at FSU was similar to CCC,” she said. “It had that family vibe, and the coach reminded me of Scooter.”
At FSU, Kari hopes to help her team win while continuing to learn the game from a new perspective. One of her goals is to find an opportunity to work as a coaching assistant while she’s a student.
Long term, Kari sees herself staying connected to basketball. She also plans to become a real estate agent in the Raleigh area. No matter where her career takes her, giving back remains part of her vision.
Kari currently works at a Boys & Girls Club, and one day she would like to own one.
“I want to give back to kids from here,” she said. “I want to give back to the city that helped shape who I am.”
From nearly walking away from basketball to earning a full scholarship, Kari’s journey shows what can happen when opportunity, hard work and the right support system come together. At Cleveland Community College, she found all three.
“CCC got me exactly where I want to be,” Kari said. “I really appreciate Scooter and CCC for that.”