Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel never set out to be a trailblazer—she just wanted to play basketball. Now, she has made NCAA history as what her teammates believe is the first one-armed player to score in a women’s college basketball game.
The Virginia native, born with one arm, always loved basketball but struggled to envision herself in the sport. She faced rejection in high school, getting cut from the team in her senior year.
Rather than giving up, Sinaman-Daniel sent game footage to multiple college coaches, determined to play at the next level.
Her persistence paid off when Coach Martin Davis of Warren Wilson College took notice of her defensive skills and work ethic. She earned an invite to Prospect Day, where she impressed coaches by never requesting accommodations or complaining about challenges. She was offered a spot on the team, marking the beginning of her collegiate journey.
Sinaman-Daniel later transferred to Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she continued to push boundaries. In December 2024, she made history by scoring in an NCAA Division III women’s basketball game—and then did it again.
Her achievement has inspired athletes nationwide, proving that with determination and tenacity, anything is possible.
As she continues her college basketball career, Sinaman-Daniel stands as a powerful example of resilience, perseverance, and breaking barriers in sports.
