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Since graduating from Troup High School in 2022, Aniya Palmer has been all over the southeast applying her basketball skills at the college level. The former Tiger transferred to Alabama A&M this offseason and was back in her hometown on Wednesday to host a youth basketball camp at Callaway Middle.

“This is where I learned how to play basketball, so when they reached out wanting me to host a camp I was all for it,” Palmer said. “This community is my home.”

Palmer made a monumental impact on the court at Troup High, earning her a ride to Mississippi State her freshman season despite recovering from a major leg injury. She redshirted before spending last season on the court at Georgia State, where she got her first taste of college action.

“It was exciting and it was nice to know all those years of hard work were starting to pay off,” Palmer said. 

Now, Palmer finds herself a Bulldog as she is set to be a member of the Alabama A&M women’s basketball team. 

“I put my name into the portal and they reached out to me and we made a connection,” Palmer said. “I couldn’t pass up this chance. It was a hard decision, but I feel like it’s the best decision for me.”

After so much time spent recovering and rehabbing from various injuries over the last few years, Palmer is back to feeling close to 100%.

“It was hard, but I didn’t want to give up on basketball at all,” Palmer said. “I just kept telling myself that this would not be the end of basketball for me.”

Palmer is feeling rejuvenated and reenergized. Just being back in her community, and giving back to her people helps her feel the love of basketball again.

“I wish I would have been going to camps and playing basketball at these kids’ age,” Palmer said. “It’s special to see kids from all the different schools come together and play and learn about basketball.”