CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel’s journey in basketball is nothing short of inspirational. After being cut from her high school team in her senior year, she refused to let that setback, along with the fact she was born with a congenital arm difference, stop her from pursuing her passion for the sport she fell in love with while idolizing LeBron James over 15 years ago.
Now a 22-year-old guard playing for Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sinaman-Daniel made history by becoming the first NCAA Division III female basketball player with one arm to score in a college game, according to her coach, Martin Rather.
Reflecting on her landmark achievement, Sinaman-Daniel recounted the moment she made her historic baskets. “I kind of just shot the ball with the anticipation that I would have to go and get it back on a rebound,” she explained about her shot from near the three-point line that sailed through the net without touching the rim. “When the shot actually went in, I was more so surprised.” Recognizing the significance of the event, Rather quickly called a timeout to celebrate the milestone, saying, “My first thought was, ‘That’s history, and we need to take a second to pause and celebrate it.’” The team erupted in cheers, surrounding her with high-fives and joy.
Sinaman-Daniel’s journey took a challenging turn during her high school years at Mountain View High School when she was cut from the basketball program. “I had played for my high school for about three years, and my senior year when I tried out again, I got cut and the coach basically told me that I wasn’t needed on the team,” she recalled. The sting of rejection led to a couple of days filled with sadness until an empowering thought crossed her mind while reflecting in her car. “I thought to myself, I could do this in college. What’s stopping me?” she said, prompting her to start emailing numerous college coaches across different divisions in search of opportunities.
Her persistence paid off when she entered the transfer portal after spending two years at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, eventually catching Rather’s attention. At Lesley University, Sinaman-Daniel’s tireless work ethic has made her a standout player on the Lynx team, which is currently enjoying its finest season in 14 years and has made it to the playoffs. “I think any team in this country would benefit from having a player with Baileigh’s heart on their roster,” Rather remarked.
Sinaman-Daniel’s accomplishments are especially significant given the limited presence of one-armed players in college basketball, which presents a unique challenge for those seeking role models. “It is not very common to see someone with one arm playing basketball. I think there are probably about two or three of us at the collegiate level,” she pointed out. While there are few other celebrated one-armed collegiate players, Hansel Emmanuel, a standout at Austin Peay, exemplifies success against the odds, as he has gained recognition for inspiring others despite having lost an arm at age six following an accident.
Throughout her athletic career, Sinaman-Daniel has adopted tailored training strategies to accommodate the different skills required for playing basketball with one arm, having to adjust her shooting form and ball-handling techniques accordingly. “I’ve had to tweak and adjust,” she acknowledged. She celebrated her second basket shortly after her first, coinciding with her birthday, adding further joy to an already momentous season.
Now in her junior year studying psychology, Sinaman-Daniel is committed to using her experiences to inspire others who may face similar challenges. “When people look at me, I hope they see Baileigh—a basketball player who is capable of doing everything that anyone else can do,” she expressed. Rather believes that her influence extends beyond sports, stating, “We’re demonstrating that we can achieve success with talented players who may not fit the mold of what everyone expects on our team.”
