Rhamat Alhassan

Alhassan grew up in Glenarden, Maryland.^[1] She started playing basketball in seventh grade, and did not play volleyball until her sophomore year in high school, at The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland.^[2]

Many schools were interested in her as an athlete, but most were interested in her basketball skills, which were more advanced than her volleyball skills. Her former basketball coach, Eddie Simpson, says she "is a better basketball player than she is a volleyball player", and Alhassan agrees.^[3] Florida was one of many schools interested in her as a volleyball player. While in high school, Alhassan considered the possibility of playing both sports in college, but ended up concentrating on volleyball. Alhassan chose Florida, partly for the volleyball, partly for the location, and partly for Florida's College of Journalism and Communications.^[2]

In her last season at Florida, Alhassan helped lead the Gators to the 2017 National Championships. The Gators haven't been to the Final 4 since 2003.^{[citation needed]}

In 2018, Alhassan won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's best female volleyball player.^[4]

After graduation from the University of Florida, Alhassan continued to play volleyball professionally.