HighFIVE Jisele Boker
Profile by Katie Newell
This HighFIVE profile appears in the 2018 Fall issue of Colorado Tennis newspaper.
For anyone who needs to reaffirm their faith in humanity, talk for a while with Campus Middle School 7th grader Jisele Boker and you will instantly have hope for the future — not just for the sport of tennis, but for the genuine kindness and humanity possible with this new generation.
Encouraged to play tennis by her father, Jacob, who came to the US from Africa to play basketball, this young lady has grace and maturity well beyond her years. Already a competitive player in both tennis and basketball, she is the recipient of USTA Colorado’s 2018 Charlie & Ira Brown Award for Outstanding Youth Sportsmanship, Leadership and Achievement.
Asked where Jisele got her positive attitude and strong sense of sportsmanship, Jacob teases that “it’s no doubt from her mother, Kristen.”
Keeping their daughter’s best interests at heart, Kristen focuses on Jisele’s education to help her stay on the honor roll list, and Jacob focuses on the athletic side of her life. While still in Africa, Jacob would stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning watching greats like Steffi Graf play. Once he had his own daughter, he felt the sport would be a good fit.
“I knew Jisele was very athletic, the way she moved, her hand-eye coordination,” he said.
On scholarship with the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation, Jisele had the chance to spend time with Martina Navratilova, an experience that further inspired her to use tennis not just as a way to excel athletically, but to connect with other young people.
“I want to be kind to people that I play,” she said, adding that some players feel too much pressure and that’s what causes poor sportsmanship. “Tennis is supposed to be fun. You have to try to do your best, but really it’s about having fun and making friends.” Jisele is a role model to other young athletes, including her younger brother, Aidan (10).
Setting her goal to be a professional player down the road, Jisele understands the commitment it will take to get her game to that level. She said she most admires the play and confidence of Venus and Serena Williams and what great athletes they are. Jisele said basketball helps with her tennis skills, especially with her footwork. She said her favorite stroke currently is her backhand, but she works hard to have an all-around game. “I know the focus and dedication it will take to get really good. I know the hard work and commitment I have to have to keep getting better.”
Setting her sights on playing both basketball and tennis at Stanford, Jisele knows that keeping her grades strong will also be key. “I’m most interested in science,” she explained of her academic interests, but said she also really loves to write. “I like to write non-fiction and realistic fiction,” she said of her pursuits off the tennis and basketball court.
Whatever future Jisele writes for herself, no doubt her success will be measured in more than tournament wins. She will no doubt make many friends along the way.
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