For Brett Lindley, playing basketball for Hartshorne High School is more than just a sport—it’s a tradition and a reflection of his upbringing. Raised in the heart of the Choctaw Nation, Brett’s connection to his heritage and community deeply influences his approach to the game and life. “My dad’s family is Choctaw, and I was lucky to have known my great grandpa before he passed away,” Brett shared. “Having him, my grandmother, and my dad while I was growing up was pretty special. I think it’s important to remember the struggles that brought tribal people to Oklahoma. If we keep our ancestors’ problems in perspective, we can get through whatever comes our way.”
Basketball has been a part of Brett’s life for as long as he can remember, thanks to his family’s involvement in the sport. “My dad coached the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams when I was young, and I was taken to just about every basketball game when my siblings were playing,” he said. “This sport has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so it means a lot to me. I love being able to play in a town where basketball is a big deal.”
As a Choctaw student-athlete, Brett takes pride in the values his heritage has instilled in him. “I try to be the same person in class, on the court, or with my family and friends,” he explained. “It probably comes down to what you’ve been taught and what expectations you’ve had growing up. I was expected to give my best effort, get up when knocked down, and be respectful of others. I think those expectations have been in our family for a long time, and you can trace them back to my Choctaw family culture and values.”
Brett’s commitment to teamwork mirrors the sense of community he’s experienced growing up in Hartshorne and within the Choctaw Nation. “Community is pretty easy to see in Hartshorne,” he noted. “Growing up in the Choctaw Nation means you don’t really know anything else. I don’t take it for granted, and I am grateful for the traditions that keep family as a center focus. My community and family give me a reason to want to be the best I can be.”
After graduation, Brett plans to pursue a business degree in college, hoping to carry forward the lessons he’s learned from his Choctaw heritage and his experiences as a Hartshorne Miner. “If I am fortunate enough to play athletics at the next level, I will use what the Hartshorne community and the Choctaw Nation have taught me and try to represent what a Hartshorne Miner truly means.”
