Athlete Spotlight: Lexi Carnegie

@lexicarnegie | 5-9 G; Teaneck HS (Jersey Gemz EYBL)

The court had always been Lexi Carnegie’s sanctuary, her space to shine. But when a knee injury during her sophomore season threatened to derail her basketball dreams, she found herself in uncharted territory. What could have been the end of her journey instead became a powerful story of resilience, determination, and self-belief.

Just months before her injury, Lexi had led her AAU team to a 15U Nike National Championship, catching the attention of top Division I programs. The future looked bright, but in an instant, it all felt uncertain. Would she be able to return to the game she loved? Could she ever play at the same level? Lexi admits the doubts crept in, but she refused to let them win.

Trusting the Process

“In order to prepare myself to be back on the court, it was extremely important for me to recognize all of the work I put in within physical therapy and in the gym,” Lexi shares. “I needed to trust the process, and myself, to know that going into the season, I was not a step behind. This also allowed me to realize that my knee was ready, so I didn’t need to second-guess myself.”

Recovery wasn’t just physical; it was deeply mental. Lexi took her rehabilitation day by day, learning to listen to her body and embrace the ups and downs. “Having good days and bad days are normal within recovery, and that’s okay,” she reflects.

One of her biggest struggles was avoiding comparisons. “I would use social media and watch videos of people who had gone through the same injury and feel bad that I could not yet do something that they could do,” Lexi admits. “However, this taught me that everyone’s recovery and everyone’s body is different. If you trust the process and give it your all, as well as stay mentally strong, you will return stronger and better than before.”


Seeing the Game Differently

Lexi’s time off the court wasn’t wasted. She used her recovery period to study the game, gaining new insights and perspective. “Take advantage of the opportunity you have to see the sport from a different lens,” she advises. “Since I wasn’t physically playing the game, I was able to watch it, which allowed me to learn a lot.”

Her presence at practices and games, even when she couldn’t play, spoke volumes about her character. Lexi was more than just a player—she was a teammate, a student of the game, and a source of inspiration for everyone around her.


Building Back Stronger

When she was finally cleared to return, Lexi didn’t stop the hard work. “It is crucial to keep up with strength training even after you are cleared to ensure that your legs continue to get stronger and avoid any future injury,” she says. Her commitment to the process—and to herself—has been unwavering.

Lexi’s determination to rebuild her strength and confidence turned her setback into a setup for an incredible comeback. “Recovery is about trusting yourself, staying patient, and doing the work,” she says.


A Lesson in Resilience

Lexi Carnegie’s journey is a powerful reminder that adversity doesn’t define you—how you respond to it does. She turned her doubts into motivation, embraced the grind, and found pride in being underestimated. Lexi’s message is clear: trust the process, stay mentally strong, and use every challenge as an opportunity to grow.


Follow Lexi’s Story

Lexi is just getting started. Follow her journey (@Lexicarnegie). Read her Note to Future Hoopers >>

Her story isn’t just about basketball—it’s about resilience, self-belief, and the power of determination. Share her journey with someone who needs to hear it, and remember: the grind is where greatness is born.