Why the stigma of eating disorders persists in women’s college basketball
Like many elite athletes growing up, the more Jennah Isai played her sport, the more praise she received. The more she succeeded in basketball, the happier the people around her seemed. The compliments inspired her to work harder, and that hard work led to accolades piling up: Division I offers in eighth grade, Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona, a top-50 prospect ranking, and eventually a scholarship to play at Oregon.
When Isai introduced herself, “I’m Jennah,” was almost always followed by, “I play basketball. ” It was everything in her life. Basketball became more than a game.
It was a deity controlling her every move. It determined her schedule. Who she could hang out with.
What her dreams were. What she could eat. Then it told her what she couldn’t eat.
And when she should throw up. Bulimia came on slowly. Then, it engulfed her.
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