Teens of Bay Area

Winning is never a streamlined process. For Ethan Liu, a senior at Archbishop Mitty High School, it began with a tough soccer coach, and now, he’s with a basketball team that placed second at the Asian League. He found his passion in sports not from the spotlight he gained, but the teamwork, drive, and shared ambition that pushed him to rise beyond an average player — now, he’s a respectable captain. 

But it’s never just been the fact that he was a “Lucky Shooter,” it was always about taking the chance and shooting to see if he would make it. From the very beginning, he set his mindset to just do it, from trying out with little to no experience to leading an entire team through the season. It was no easy feat. 

As team captain, Ethan continues to not just uphold, but also spearhead team traditions like eating together after practice or holding each teammate accountable. For Ethan, team unity matters more than the numbers.

“Frankly, I think that this experience of just working towards a goal with the people that you love, spending time with them, has much more profound value than a score on the scoreboard,” Ethan says. 

Now, Ethan continues to spread his passion for basketball as he volunteers as the head coach at Silicon Valley Basketball Club. He first began as the assistant coach, running around comforting children while also supporting them in their training. It felt like a calling — he’s always wanted to teach from a place of love and guidance, and be a source of inspiration for the children. Instead of reprimanding the kids, Ethan hopes to drive these young individuals to improve every day.

As he continues both playing with his team and volunteering as a coach, Ethan remains committed to the idea of working and playing hard. Rather than leaving a legacy as an individual player, Ethan hopes to leave behind a lesson that will motivate and inspire the children who look up to him:

“Win or lose, as long as you are dedicated, putting enough effort towards it, and trying your best, that’s all that matters. Because if you try your best, the results will follow.” 

-Ethan Liu, 2025