Melanie de Arakal, a 15-year-old student from Newport Beach, California has been a Sasha fan since 2008. She admires Sasha’s fearless attitude and his work ethic. As a basketball player on her high school’s varsity basketball team, she has also gone so far as to adapt that attitude into her own life by giving it her all in basketball.

How long have you been a fan?

I have been a Laker fan practically since I was born, but I became a Sasha fan in 2008 when he had his breakthrough season.

What was it about Sasha that first caught your attention?

Honestly, the hair. I was watching a game with my dad and I saw Sasha’s hair and asked who he was. When my dad said it was Sasha Vujacic, I was a little shocked at first since I was used to Sasha being that guy who looked like he was still a teen, but his hair made him stand out. Then I watched how he played, and he really improved since seasons past and I was impressed.

What are some of your favorite things about Sasha?

His work ethic. I don’t think I have ever seen anybody as dedicated as he is. I look up to him in that aspect when I play basketball. I mean, the fact that he is always looking to improve his game is a trait not a lot of people have, and I admire that. Also, I love that Sasha isn’t afraid to step up. You can tell when Sasha is trying to be the leader on the court, and it is always cool to seem him dominate off the bench.

Do you have a favorite Sasha moment or game?

My favorite Sasha moment was last year when I went to the Laker game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies in April. I actually saw Sasha dunk live and I flipped out! I was jumping up and down like crazy. This guy behind me saw my jersey with “Vujacic” on the back and said, “Sasha? Really?” and I turned around and told him, “Yeah! Join me, won’t you?” It was pretty funny.

How has Sasha inspired you?

Well Sasha has definitely inspired my game. I am on the varsity basketball team at my school, and I have tried to practice and work as hard as Sasha does. I figure if I have the kind of mentality that he has, then I will have the kind of success that he has. Sasha has influenced me to keep trying even when I’m having a bad game or season. But I think the thing Sasha has influenced me to do is actually play basketball. I played basketball off and on, but I always injured my knees. After I injured my knee to the point where I was out for the rest of the season, I just gave up on basketball. Then I saw how Sasha played and how basketball was his love in life. I picked up a basketball and before I knew it, I had my shot back.

If you could say one thing to Sasha, what would it be?

Oh gosh, there is so much I would like to say to Sash. How about this, Sasha, Congrats on the ring! Thank you for being someone I can look up to. Your dedication to the game has inspired many and you are a gift to L.A. Good luck this season!!!!

Anything else about your fandom that you would like to share?

I have this thing I do right before my basketball games that Sasha kind of inspired. When I’m getting ready, I put my iPod headphones in, and just put in on shuffle. I heard that’s what Sasha does so I thought I would give it a try.