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After Auburn’s Maui Invitational win, Dylan Cardwell shared a story that captures the essence of being a great teammate.
Dylan began his career at Auburn and worked hard, likely anticipating the starting role by his third year. But before that season, Johni Broome transferred in and earned the starting spot. Naturally, Dylan struggled with frustration—he had worked for years and felt his moment was slipping away.
For more than a year, Dylan wrestled with those emotions. Then, before a game against Virginia Tech, he decided to shift his focus. He prayed for Johni, asking for his teammate’s success. That night, Johni delivered a career game, scoring 30 points.
Great for the team, right? Sure—but Johni’s performance meant Dylan only got 9 minutes of playing time. Dylan faced a choice:
• Be frustrated over the limited minutes.
• Or celebrate his teammate’s success and the answer to his prayer.
Fast forward to the next weekend in New York. Johni struggled at the free-throw line late in the game, and Dylan stepped in. He went on to hit six consecutive free throws to seal the win. As Dylan looked to the bench, he noticed Johni clapping and cheering louder than anyone else.
In that moment, Dylan realized something profound: They weren’t opponents. They were brothers, pushing each other to be better.
Now, Dylan and Johni are both having career years. Their story reminds us that:
• Teammates, Not Rivals: Success comes when we lift each other up, not compete for the spotlight.
• Celebrate Each Other’s Wins: Be the loudest cheerleader for your teammates, knowing your time will come.
• Focus on the Team’s Goals: Individual roles are important, but the ultimate goal is team success.
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Lead with selflessness,
Reid