Izzy Meki: Sharpshooter, Leader, and the Heart of a Rising Program

Meet Izzy Meki.  A dynamic junior guard for the Bonney Lake Panthers, Izzy Meki has become one of the most electric scorers in the SPSL, the kind of player who can flip a game with one deep three or a momentum-shifting steal. With quick hands, a confident outside shot, and a growing leadership role, she’s helping guide a Panthers squad that is fast, fun, and full of potential. Her journey, though, began long before she was knocking down threes under the Friday night lights.

A Love Sparked Early

Izzy’s basketball story started at just five years old, when her mom and grandma signed her up for park-and-rec basketball. By fourth grade, she moved into BLBA, and something clicked. She fell in love with the sport’s competitive energy and the discipline it demands, saying she was drawn to “the competition, dedication, and discipline it takes to be an individual and team player.” Those early years built the foundation for who she is today, a competitor with purpose.

Crafting a Shooter

Izzy’s reputation as one of Bonney Lake’s most dangerous three-point threats didn’t happen by accident. Her serious shooting development began in the summer of sixth grade with her trainer, Muse, who worked with her through her sophomore year. During that time, she built habits that now define her game.

Her routine includes 5 a.m. workouts and 200–500 shots a day to refine mechanics and consistency. For Izzy, being reliable from beyond the arc comes down to keeping “my hand placement, release, and arc the same every shot” and practicing at game speed so she can be efficient under pressure. It’s a daily commitment, and it shows every time she rises up behind the line.

A Near-Record Night

Last season, Izzy came within one made three of tying the Bonney Lake single-game three-point record in a matchup against Thomas Jefferson. She remembers that night as a breakthrough moment. It brought “a feeling of accomplishment because the work I’ve dedicated myself to almost paid off.”

But for Izzy, the moment wasn’t an ending, it was motivation. “It made me want to work harder to beat the record and have a record under my name,” she said.

A Sisterhood on the Court

This season’s Panthers team plays with a chemistry and joy that’s easy to see from the stands. Izzy describes the group as “a family and sisterhood with all my love and trust,” a team she looks forward to seeing every day. Practices and workouts feel like a “second home,” and as a junior leader, she takes pride in setting the tone.

Her role is built on communication, being vocal on both ends, helping teammates get into the right spots, and doing whatever it takes to elevate the group’s performance. It’s a responsibility she embraces.

Izzy Meki & Selena Meki

Sharing the Floor With Selena

One of the most meaningful parts of this season for Izzy is sharing the court with her younger sister, Selena, a talented freshman who has stepped into a varsity role. Izzy calls it “a great feeling because that’s my little me out there,” and she admits that watching Selena follow in her footsteps inspires her to push harder and lead by example.

She wants Selena “to be the best she can as a freshman” and hopes her younger sister makes the most of every moment. It’s a special bond, one rooted in pride, guidance, and sisterhood.

Eyes on the Next Level

Izzy has already begun thinking about what comes after high school, and her dreams stretch far beyond the SPSL. She absolutely sees herself playing college basketball, a goal she’s carried since childhood. “I’ve always wanted to play college basketball and be the first in my family to play at that level and set a standard,” she said. Her passion, her work ethic, and her steady rise all point toward a future where that dream becomes reality.

Beyond Basketball

Off the court, Izzy enjoys a quieter, creative side. She loves playing volleyball, doing diamond art, working on coloring books, and spending time with friends and family, the people she calls her biggest supporters away from the hardwood. They bring her joy, balance, and perspective as she navigates school, sports, and goals beyond both.

Izzy Meki isn’t just a sharp shooter or a standout junior, she’s a cornerstone of a rising program, a leader shaping Bonney Lake’s future, and a sister paving the way for the next generation. And with her drive, her heart, and that signature three-point shot, the best chapters of her story are still ahead.