Fenwick High School sophomore Cammie Molis is getting an opportunity not many American students receive: a chance to play overseas and experience a new culture while trying out for another country’s athletic team.
Molis spent the final week in March in Lithuania attempting to make that country’s national women’s basketball 18U team. She’s eligible because her great-great grandparents were from Lithuania.
“Some were born in Lithuania and now live in America, while others like myself were born in America but come from Lithuanian descent,” said Molis of the criteria used to invite players for the tryouts. “There were only three players selected from America, so I feel honored, blessed, and grateful to be here right now.”
The tryouts for the Lithuanian national 18U began on March 23. At press time, Molis’ status was unknown.
But Fenwick girls basketball coach Lenae Fergerson feels optimistic about Molis’ chances.
“From what I’ve heard from her dad, they’re really high on Cammie,” she said. “She’s shooting the ball really well, and I think they want her to come back. It’s going well, and I hope it continues.”
Fergerson can appreciate Molis being in Europe, given that she herself played 13 years professionally overseas.
“I was excited for Cammie,” she said. “I thought it’d be a great experience for her. I understand the European game and mindset, so it’s a great opportunity. I know her love for basketball, and she wants to play college basketball and for her country’s team.”
Molis says she’s also using her Lithuanian trip to learn more about European culture.
“Aside from basketball, it would be a great experience to be able to travel to another part of the world and see things I’ve never seen before,” she said. “Learning about and meeting new people from other cultures, and learning to play basketball from the European coaching perspective.”
The fact that Molis is in position to attend a national team tryout shouldn’t come as a surprise. Her father Derek, who played at now-closed St. Joseph High School and Loyola University Chicago, has provided valuable knowledge.
“He’s helped with my overall development of the game, mostly shooting, mechanics, and footwork,” Molis said.
“Her dad played at a high level of basketball, and his gift of shooting has trickled down to his daughter,” Fergerson added. “He’s always there for her, and it’s nice for her to have his knowledge. That’s a great bonus.”
Molis recently concluded her varsity debut season with Fenwick. She says she knew since fifth grade she’d be a Friar, especially after participating in a feeder program run by a legendary figure in Fenwick athletics.
“From the moment I met Coach [Dave] Power, I made the decision that I wanted to come to Fenwick,” Molis stated. “He was a big inspiration, and as I got older, I realized that the academics were equally important; this will help me through college and later in life.”
Molis thought her season was solid individually. But she hoped the Friars would have more victories than they did, and that’s motivating for next year.
“That’s just made me personally want to work harder this offseason to get better individually,” she said, “and to take on more of a leadership role regarding our team for next season.”
Molis says she enjoys playing for Fergerson.
“She’s improved my overall basketball IQ,” she said. “I understand the way she coaches, and she has made a better player. I’m looking forward to the next two years playing under her guidance.”
But first, she wants to make the Lithuanian U18 team. She believes that if she does, it will create many opportunities for her at the collegiate level.
“I would hope that colleges would see that it will help me learn, grow, and be able to play at the level I want to play in college,” she said.
