Sani's 500th Point and Dominant Performance Lead Panthers to Victory

Fatimah Sani's 500th career point propelled the Panthers to a 72-53 victory over Palo Verde College on Monday, snapping their two-game losing streak against conference opponents. 

Sani, originally from the United Arab Emirates, currently leads the Panthers, averaging 15 points per game. Although her 6'3" frame dominates in the paint, her personality and off-court presence truly separates her. "Fatimah is a kindhearted person who craves genuine human connection," states head coach Kendyl Rizea. "She thrives in environments where she can explore and be with friends and family. She loves to take pictures, make videos, dance, and have fun. She genuinely cares about her teammates and has flourished in those relationships. When I first met her, I realized she loves hugs." 

Observing the Panthers at practice, Sani's presence shines—her encouragement and cheers for her teammates echo through the gym. Whether during shooting drills or running exercises, Sani's support is unmatched. "In a world where superstars often lean towards selfishness, Sani is the furthest thing from it," Rizea emphasizes. "Her laughter and jokes often echo through the athletic offices, but most importantly, she genuinely cares about her teammates and thrives in those relationships." 

The team concludes each practice with a huddle, reflecting on the session and acknowledging each other's positive contributions. "Fatimah loves to give shoutouts," Rizea adds. "Every time she receives praise, she immediately returns the favor, always recognizing her teammates for pushing her to improve." 

But don't let her gentle soul deceive you—when it's time for competition, she flips a switch. Her competitive drive currently propels the Panthers. In addition to leading the team in points per game, Sani also leads in both offensive and defensive rebounds and blocks.

Another valuable trait Sani brings is her coachability. She listens and then translates what's asked of her into action. "Fatimah likes to see what we teach her in action before she tries it herself," says Rizea. "We talk about cues to read and give very specific things to try each possession. She has grown a lot since her arrival at Chaffey, and we're excited to see her excel."

Palo Verde vs. Chaffey Highlights 
Sani: 21 points, 20 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block 
Cuellar: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Peters: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals 
Castricone: 8 points, 2 steals, 1 rebound, 
Hardy: 6 points
Campbell: 4 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal