By Jasmin Johory
The sharp squeak of sneakers echoed across the basketball court at the American University of Sharjah. Players darted across the floor, passing and shooting with intensity.
In the midst of the action was Shaivi Mehul Shah, a junior finance student standing at just 4 feet 11 inches.
Though she was the smallest player on the team, there was nothing small about her determination. Every pass, every shot, every sprint carried the kind of drive that couldn’t be measured in inches.
Basketball wasn’t supposed to be Shaivi’s path. When she was young, her parents encouraged her to take up the sport, believing it could help her grow taller.
“They thought playing basketball would make me taller,” she recalls with a laugh. “But instead, it made me stronger.”
From her very first practice at the age of 5, Shaivi felt an unexplainable connection to the game. She loved its rhythm, the bounce of the ball, the swift movement of players, and the thrill of every shot.
But while others were praised for their height, she was often overlooked. “People used to tell me, ‘You’re too short for basketball,’” she remembers.
So, she practiced relentlessly. She focused on speed, control, and accuracy, using her size as an advantage rather than a setback. Her quick footwork and sharp instincts soon became her signature strengths.
When Shaivi joined the AUS Women’s Basketball Team, the competition grew tougher. Surrounded by taller, more physically dominant players, she had to prove herself all over again.
Every missed opportunity became motivation. Each comment about her size only fueled her determination. Slowly, her perseverance began to shine through. Her small frame made her swift, unpredictable, and nearly impossible to guard.
“I knew I couldn’t change my height,” she says, “but I could control how hard I trained.”
The gym erupted in cheers. AUS had secured second place in the national championship.
“It felt like gold,” Shaivi says, smiling at the memory. “It wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving that I belonged there.”
That victory became more than a medal; it became a symbol of her strength. Shaivi had broken the stereotype her parents once believed that basketball was only for tall people. She showed that with enough heart, even the smallest player could make the biggest impact.
“If you play with passion, you can rise above any limitation.”
Off the court, Shaivi is just as disciplined. Between finance classes, projects, and late-night practices, she manages her time with precision. Her professors describe her as focused and resilient, while her teammates call her their motivator, the one who never lets anyone give up.
Still, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing academics and athletics often means long nights and early mornings. There were moments when exhaustion and doubt crept in, but Shaivi always found her way back to the court.
“Whenever I feel overwhelmed,” she says softly, “I just remind myself why I started. Basketball makes me feel alive—it’s where I find myself again.”
“I want them to know that height doesn’t define success,” she says.
As the sun sets over the AUS campus, the court glows under the floodlights. Shaivi stands at the three-point line, ball in hand, her eyes locked on the hoop. She takes a deep breath, shoots and watches as the ball arcs perfectly through the air and lands cleanly in the net.
Standing just 4 feet 11 inches, Shaivi Mehul Shah may be small in stature, but with courage, perseverance and spirit, she stands taller than most.
