Through It All
By Kvonn Cramer
—
When you're a kid playing basketball in your driveway, you dream of being on the biggest stage. 

You imagine the roar of the crowd, the bright lights, and the thrill of March Madness. 

You dream of the moment when everything you've worked for comes together—the chance to compete for a national championship.

I've been chasing that dream since I was a kid in Wilmington, Delaware.

But the journey to get here has been anything but easy.

There have been injuries. 

Setbacks. 

Moments of doubt.

Yet if there's one lesson I've learned along the way, it's this: believe in yourself, no matter the circumstances. Because even in the darkest moments, better days are ahead.

I've had to remind myself of that more times than I can count. 

And now, being part of this magical run with my teammates here at Bryant feels like a dream come true. 

I've worked my entire life for this opportunity, and believe me, I'm ready to make the most of it.
 
Finding My Way in College
After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School in Delaware, I committed to play college basketball at Hofstra University. 

It was a great experience, but after a couple of years, I felt something was missing. 

I longed for the brotherhood I had in high school—the kind of bond that makes a team feel like family.

That's when I found Bryant University.

The transition, however, wasn't easy. 

During my first summer session at Bryant, I wanted to go home. 

I just wasn't feeling it. 

The adjustment was tough, and for a while, I questioned if I had made the right decision.

Then, something shifted. 

As time passed, I began to feel that sense of brotherhood again—the same camaraderie I had been searching for. 

It wasn't instant, but slowly, I found my place. 

I bonded with my teammates, built relationships with my coaches, and realized I was exactly where I was meant to be.
 
Perseverance and Belief
Just as I was settling in, life threw me another challenge.

A few months later, I tore my ACL.

Devastation doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. 

Not only was I sidelined for the entire season, but this wasn't my first ACL injury. 

I had torn it before, back in high school. 

To have it happen again? It felt unreal.

But in those moments of doubt, my teammates were there for me. 

They picked me up when I felt like falling. 

They kept me going when I wanted to stop.

"Take it day by day," they told me. "Keep working. Keep believing."

So I did.

Being off the court gave me a new perspective on the game. 

I started noticing the little details, the nuances I hadn't fully appreciated before. 

I found a new role as a mentor, helping younger players navigate the ups and downs of college basketball. 

And through it all, my teammates and coaches never wavered in their support.

I owe them everything.
 
Back on the Court
When I finally made it back on the court, it was time to make up for lost time. 

And we did something special.

We won the America East Conference Championship.

And right there, on that very court, in the midst of all the celebration, I proposed to my girlfriend.

It was a moment I'll never forget.

We were doing something special, and I wanted her to be part of that moment forever.

She said yes.

She's the love of my life, and I can't imagine a second without her. 

To celebrate our championship and our future together on the same night—it was all worth it.

But we weren't done yet.

After taking a couple of days to soak it all in, we knew we had to get back to work. 

Our season wasn't over. 

March Madness was ahead, and we don't just want to be there.

We want to show this country what the Bulldogs are all about.
 
Inspiration for the Future
Looking back, my journey has been filled with challenges, but every setback has made me stronger. 

I've had an incredible support system—my parents, my coaches, my teammates, and my fiancée—who have stood by me through it all.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that no one achieves their dreams alone. 

It takes a village. 

You need people who push you, motivate you, and believe in you, even when you struggle to believe in yourself.

So, to every young athlete out there, remember this:

Believe in yourself.

Even when things don't go your way.

Even when the setbacks seem endless.

Because one day, you might find yourself living your dream on the biggest stage, just like I am.