ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Grace Lanier
Grace during her early years at New Heights (left), as well as at our 2023 Media Day (right).
Grace Lanier’s journey with New Heights began in the third grade. She had heard good things growing up playing basketball, and having watched older players in her circles proudly don the New Heights jersey before her, she and her parents decided to see what the program was all about. She quickly realized that there was something different about New Heights. “It wasn’t just about basketball,” she says. From the start, Grace recognized that the organization focused on building young people from the inside out, helping them grow not only as athletes, but as students and people.
New Heights was a smaller organization when Grace first joined, but over the years she witnessed tremendous growth and the ultimate expansion into a state-of-the art sports facility in Brooklyn. With multiple full-size basketball courts and classrooms, New Heights was poised to increase opportunities for both athletic and academic development. For Grace, academic check-ins and tutoring sessions were invaluable; New Heights’ commitment to education made it clear that success off the court mattered just as much as success on it.
Grace is interested in pursuing a career in medicine, specifically as a Neurologist. While in high school, New Heights has supported her career exploration by connecting her with a core partner, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, to enable Grace to speak directly with several doctors and visit the hospital to learn more about the field.
The relationships Grace built at New Heights didn’t end when she graduated from high school last summer. Coaches and staff became trusted mentors and role models, and many of those relationships have endured. Today, Grace remains in contact with several coaches who continue to check in, offer guidance, and be her cheerleaders. She also remains connected to former teammates. Whether it’s sending gifts, meeting up during school breaks, or simply checking in, the friendships she formed through New Heights continue to thrive. Grace says the alumni network reflects the same culture the organization fosters: one of support, encouragement, and paying it forward.
Grace after a practice during her middle school years (left), and during our 2022 Media Day (right).
Grace has now transitioned to college life at Georgia State University, which she says has been a new chapter filled with both excitement and challenges. While being away from home and learning to find comfort in unfamiliar environments can be challenging at times, she feels prepared. The time management, discipline, and self-accountability she developed at New Heights have proven essential. College has brought unique experiences, new friendships, and opportunities to continue growing. Grace embraces the challenges because she knows she’s been equipped to handle them.
Grace says that through her years at New Heights, she learned lessons that still guide her today, such as the importance of accountability. “Showing up on time, maintaining good grades, [and] taking pride in wearing the uniform correctly were all things that were instilled early and consistently,” she shared with us. Beyond personal responsibility, she learned the importance of uplifting those around her. Being part of a team meant building up her teammates and understanding the power of community. And it was that sense of collective responsibility—and the value of giving back—that became central to who she is.
For Grace, giving back is simple. “It’s the right thing to do,” she told us. She believes in continuing the cycle of support for the next generation, just as others once did for her. Whether through mentorship, staying connected, or representing the values instilled in her, she strives to do her part in becoming a better person and leader in her community. She’s also seen former New Heights student-athletes become coaches themselves (some of whom have even reached out to her to stop by their respective teams), demonstrating how giving back strengthens both the individual and the collective group as a whole.
Grace at our 2022 Media Day.
Her advice to current student-athletes is heartfelt and clear: take advantage of every opportunity. From basketball development to career shadowing days to SAT prep and other academic resources—all things she herself utilized and benefitted from during her time at New Heights—the program opens doors in ways that may not be obvious at first. “New Heights prepares you for life in general, not just basketball,” she says. “Also, have fun.”
Grace’s story is a powerful reflection of what New Heights stands for: long-term growth, unwavering support, and a commitment to developing leaders who carry their lessons far beyond the court. We look forward to continuing to be a part of Grace’s journey as she progresses through college, and can’t wait to support her and see her succeed in the challenges she’s sure to overcome next.