Some players have talent. Others have skill. And then, there are players like Gabriella Mittelman—athletes who combine both with an unstoppable DAWG mentality that sets them apart.
Overlooked But Never Outworked
Gabriella isn’t the tallest on the court, and she’s heard the doubts. But she never lets outside opinions dictate her game. Instead, she puts in the work—relentlessly. She’s a three-level scorer with an elite basketball IQ, a leader who embraces the grind and plays the game the right way. As a point guard, she understands the assignment, navigating through defenses, controlling the tempo, and making sure her teammates are always in the right spots to succeed. She takes her shots when needed but never puts herself before the team.
“When I think I’m being underestimated, I focus on putting in the time working on my game on my own and I work on strengthening my body in the weight room.”
That’s her mindset—when overlooked, outwork everyone.
The Edge: Gabriella’s Competitive Fire
Every DAWG has The Edge—the thing that makes them stand out when the game is on the line. For Gabriella, her Edge is her composure, court vision, and relentless work ethic.
She plays with a calm intensity that never wavers, whether she’s breaking down a press, hitting a big shot, or setting up a teammate for the game-winner. She sees the game two steps ahead, always anticipating the next play.
Gabriella’s Edge isn’t just in her skill—it’s in her mentality. She refuses to be outworked. After a tough loss? She’s in the gym. Feeling underestimated? She studies film, sharpens her reads, and comes back better.
Her ability to embrace the unseen hours, attack setbacks with a growth mindset, and trust her process is what makes her an elite competitor.
“Instead of focusing on the goal itself, I focus on the journey of putting in the time and work on my game.”
Choosing Love: Passion for the Process
For Gabriella, choosing love means loving the game in its entirety—the highs, the lows, and every unseen hour spent in the gym. She believes that success isn’t just about the accolades but about the journey of growth.
She embraces the extra reps after a two-hour practice. She hits the weight room when no one else wants to go. She trusts the process.
“I remind myself that setbacks are just challenges that I can work through.”
Handling Setbacks
Gabriella knows that adversity is part of the game. Whether it’s missing shots, tough losses, or the pressure of expectations, she doesn’t fold—she adjusts.
“When I experience setbacks on the court, like my shots not falling, I remind myself that it’s just challenges that I can work through.”
She turns to film study, extra training, and even journaling to sharpen her mental game. That’s what makes her different. She doesn’t just want to win—she wants to grow.
Advice for Future Hoopers
Gabriella’s message to young athletes? Be present.
“It’s common among young athletes, myself included, to get caught up in what happened in the past and expectations about the future. I’ve been working on focusing my mind on the present and making every moment count on and off the court.”
If you want to be great, choose love for the game. Love the work. Love the process. And trust that everything will fall into place.
Follow Gabby’s Story
Read her Note to Future Hoopers >>
From One Player to Another: Lessons I Learned Along the Way.
Follow her journey (@gabmittelman30).