“It’s really challenging, and it has a lot of demands, and she misses a lot because of basketball,” Barnes said, according to The Star Tribune. “She misses her job shadowing. She misses labs, internships, and then because of that, also misses basketball stuff, too.”

Barnes said she supports Nnaji’s decision as the student was transparent about her aspirations.

“I was very supportive and all in on it because that was what she signed up for,” she added. “I knew she was going to that program when she got here, so I have to support what she’s doing because her dreams and aspirations are to be a doctor.”

Maya Nnaji

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