by Kelsea O'Brien

For Kwasi Adu-Poku II it has always been basketball.

A 3X U SPORTS All-Canadian and top-10 offensive rebounder in the country, Kwasi has always tied his identity to his athletic abilities. It was never intentional, but by third year, Kwasi, a straight-A's student and recipient of McMaster's Wilson Leadership Scholarship, found himself in a dark place; a place where his identity was based entirely on his on-court performance. 

Injury and personal issues outside of basketball had the Toronto native doubting not only his contributions to McMaster's men's basketball team, but every aspect of his life. When his minutes decreased, Adu-Poku's feeling of self-worth, the fibre of his entire being, decreased with them. To Kwasi, nothing else mattered if he wasn't excelling on the court. 

Now, with the help of counseling and the influence of Legacy Coaching's Vincent Luciani, Kwasi Adu-Poku is using the tools he's developed to help others, athlete or not, to find balance and confidence outside of athletic, academic, or employment performance. 

"I wanted an opportunity to create this platform to share my life experiences in a positive and engaging way for people," says Kwasi. "I've always seen myself as someone who defined myself (based) off of my performance, and so much so that a lot of my confidence and self-worth became tied to basketball. It wasn't until I realized that I needed to go and get counseling and get help because I was in a really dark spot that I started to actually develop this sense of self-worth that isn't related to basketball."

Through 'The Reach Series', Kwasi will host a four-week series of workshops, dedicated to assisting others in finding their pride; not as athletes or performers, but as people. The support for the fifth year Kinesiology student can be felt from his teammates and coaches, and all the way through McMaster's athletics department. 

"Kwasi exemplifies everything we look for in a McMaster student-athlete," echoes McMaster's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Shawn Burt. "Intelligence, humility, leadership, and inspiration. He continues to be a massive contributor on campus and in the community. I know Kwasi is destined for great things and through The Reach Series, he will guide others to similar greatness."

"I've watched him care for everyone around him on a daily basis" added McMaster men's basketball coach Patrick Tatham. "He has a heart of gold, and it's no surprise that he's started his own set of workshops to help young people recognize their worth".

Entering his fifth year studying Kinesiology, Kwasi recognizes that he is still on his own personal journey. His desire to help others, while still growing and discovering himself is admirable, but expected to anyone who knows him. He may have just begun to dip his toe in the waters, but Kwasi Adu-Poku is just getting started. 

For more information, and to sign up for The Reach Series, visit https://kwasiadu3.wixsite.com/thereach.