Maiden basketball player signs with Lees-McRae becomes first-generation college student

“He’ll be the first generation in our family to go to college,” said his mother, Burnetta Misher.

Raheim Misher signed to play basketball for Lees-McRae on Wednesday. He told his coach, Justin Brittain on Monday. That left Brittain only a few days to put the signing celebration together.

Brittain had a surprise of his own for Misher when Wednesday came.

Brittain announced that Misher is one of 24 seniors selected to play in the North Carolina East West All-Star game this summer.

“No, he had texted me once, he was like, ‘You might be in the top 15,” Misher said. “But this is pretty special, though.”

4 years of accolades

Misher said playing in the all-star game will be the icing on the cake of his high school career.

The Maiden standout was a four-year varsity starter. He has averaged a double-double each season and broken numerous school records. His 1,243 career rebounds and 29 rebounds in a single game are both Maiden records. His 1,487 career points is also a new record, passing the old mark by 14 points. He also passed his football coach, Will Byrne, who now sits in third.

Misher is a four-time all-conference and all-county selection, and a two-time all-district first team selection. He has also logged 80 wins in a Maiden uniform. That makes him one of the winningest players in school history.

Misher said the accolades are nice, but recognition was not a driving force in his high school career.

“I didn’t play basketball for the accolades,” he said. “I played because it’s something I deeply care about and something that brings me happiness. So, the accolades were a plus, but it was just amazing being out there doing what I love.”

Finding his own road

Misher said he is excited to get out on his own but nervous at the same time.

“I’m a little nervous,” he said. “I’m not ready for the unknown yet, but I’m ready for the journey.”

He added, “I’m going down my own path now, making something new.”

Brittain said he is confident Misher will accomplish whatever he desires. He said college signings are always special, but Misher’s signing stands out. Brittain said he has been working with Misher since the Maiden star was in eighth grade.

Brittain said this college opportunity has the potential to be game-changing, not just for Misher, but for his family.

“This might be the most rewarding thing as a coach … to see kids better their future,” Brittain said. “I think that is why this one, specifically, might be more special. They’re all special, but a first-generation college student … He’ll be able to hopefully start something for his family and his future.”

Character counts

One word kept coming up Wednesday as coaches, family members and classmates stepped forward to congratulate Misher and share their experiences with him. That word was character.

His mother said she thinks her son’s character will take him far.

“Everything he has put his hands and heart to, he gave it 100%,” she said. “There’s nothing that I don’t think he can accomplish.”

Brittain said Misher has always been more concerned with winning than scoring, adding that he probably could have broken the school points record too if he had focused on shooting instead of winning.

Some of Misher’s classmates shared how his unselfishness impacted them off the court. One student offered a story about a time Raheim talked him down from potentially getting suspended. Others mentioned that he always knew how to get them to feel more at ease in social settings. Burnetta Misher said hearing nice words about her son made the day even more meaningful.

“My chest was really tight,” she said. “I was crying.”

For Rahiem Misher, the good deeds that led to tributes are just part of the person he’s trying to be.

“I always try to something like that, at least once a day, just try to make somebody’s day better,” he said.