From Hardwood to Helmets

Photo By Sgt. Alexander Kelsall | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Sade Hudson, a Soldier in Bravo Company, 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, and the starting point guard for the All-Army Women’s Basketball team prepares to shoot a free throw at Magrath Sports Complex on Fort Drum, New York, Dec. 19, 2023. Hudson attended tryouts and practice at Fort Bliss, Texas where she lived with her team. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall/ 10 MDSB Public Affairs Office)  

FORT DRUM, NY, UNITED STATES

12.20.2023

Story by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall 

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

FORT DRUM, N.Y. – Many Soldiers find that the Army is full of opportunities, whether it's
going to courses like Air Assault School or living in places such as Hawaii. For U.S. Army 1st Lt. Sade Hudson, a Soldier in B Company, 548th Division Sustainment
Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, that opportunity came in the form of the All-Army Women’s Basketball Team. Despite knowing about the All-Army Team since high school, Hudson had been content with ending her basketball career at the collegiate level.
“After I played in college, I was like, okay, my basketball career is over,” Hudson said. “I’m going to focus on something new.”
However, while scrolling through social media, Hudson found a video that reignited a spark in her.
“I was just on TikTok, and a guy had on an All-Army uniform and was talking about the process,” Hudson said. “So, I texted him and said that I was interested in playing for the
Army team. ‘Can you show me how to submit an application?’”
During this time, Hudson had just become a platoon leader, and she was almost certain her leadership would not react favorably to losing her.
“I had to wait a little bit to send it up, because I knew my battalion commander was not going to let me take a whole two months off to play basketball,” she said. “I had to make
sure that even though I was down there, I still handled my business as a platoon leader up here.”

Upon arriving at Fort Bliss, Texas, where the All-Army tryouts were held, Hudson had to overcome hurdles immediately.
Half of the players on the team were returning from the previous year and had established chemistry, so Hudson said she had to make her mark quickly.
“I was told that they were very impressed by what they saw on day one, and I was told I wasn't getting cut,” she said. “But I still had to go through the whole trial camp, which
lasted three weeks, and then finished it off with a tournament against the other branches.”
During her time at camp, Hudson was with her team at all times, from living in the allocated housing to working out together and eating together. The players came from across the Army, and they had to learn about their teammates’ strengths and weaknesses.
“The varied backgrounds and experiences contribute to a rich tapestry of skills and perspectives,” said Mark Christmas, coach of the All-Army Women’s Basketball Team.
“Embracing this diversity enhances not only their performance on the court but their camaraderie off it.”
With the tournament taking place close to home, Hudson’s family had an opportunity to watch her play, which included a game against the Marine Corps. Hudson said this was her best performance, encompassing a career-high of 11 assists and a clutch three-pointer. Despite not winning the tournament, Hudson said that she will look back on her time with the team fondly.
“I can sit there and look at all of our TikToks that we made and just laugh,” Hudson said.
“We would all be dancing, and it was always so funny.”
Looking forward to next year, Hudson is ready to help her team win the championship. But for now, she is excited to be the best platoon leader for her unit and Soldiers.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2023
• Date Posted: 12.21.2023 10:35
• Story ID: 460566
• Location: FORT DRUM, NY, US
• Hometown: MEMPHIS, TN, US