Tegan Snodgrass is only a freshman at Garden City High School, but her presence already feels far beyond her years. A three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball, and swimming, Snodgrass has quickly established herself as one of the most driven young competitors in her class, especially on the basketball court, where her passion runs deepest.
Her mindset is simple, but powerful.
“I’ve put too much time into basketball to not give it everything I’ve got.”
That commitment showed all season long. Snodgrass reached the century mark in assists and emerged as one of the top assist leaders in the state, earning First Team All-WAC honors along the way. For a ninth grader, it’s the kind of performance that turns heads, but for Snodgrass, it’s just the beginning.
Her approach to the game is shaped by one of basketball’s most iconic figures.
“Kobe Bryant is my biggest role model because of his unmatched work ethic and ‘Mamba Mentality’ pushes me to stay disciplined, keep improving, and never settle for average.”
That mentality carries over into how she plays. Snodgrass models her game after Paige Bueckers, blending court vision, composure, and a natural feel for creating opportunities for her teammates. It’s a style that makes her both a leader and a playmaker, someone who elevates everyone around her.
But her growth hasn’t happened by accident. It’s been built over years of guidance, competition, and family support.
“My dad was my trainer/coach when I was younger, and I grew up playing on my older brother’s team, and the majority of the time played up 2 grades for girls. I now play for both of my parents, with my mom being the head coach and my dad being her assistant.”
That unique dynamic has given Snodgrass an edge, not just in skill, but in understanding the game at a deeper level. Playing up against older competition early on pushed her to adapt quickly and develop resilience, something she leans on when facing challenges.
“I remind myself why I started and how far I’ve come, and that keeps me going when things get tough.”
Even as her individual success grows, Snodgrass remains grounded in what it means to represent something bigger than herself.
“It means a lot to me because I’m not just playing for myself, I’m representing my teammates, coaches, and everyone at my school.”
Behind the scenes, her family continues to be a constant source of encouragement, reinforcing the foundation that’s helped her succeed.
“My family shows up at every game and texts me before and after my games, my showcases, camps, anything going on in my life, and I always know I have my family right behind me, which I am so grateful for.”
With her work ethic, support system, and early success, Snodgrass is already carving out a name for herself. And if her freshman season is any indication, she’s only getting started.
