The bright lights in the Galen Center shine down upon her as the cheering of fans emanate from the sold-out crowd. She slightly bends her knees and with a flick of a wrist, she sends the basketball flying into the air. The announcer screams: 3-pointer for Kayla Padilla.
Some know her as a guard for USC women’s basketball during their historic 2023-24 season; others remember her during her University of Pennsylvania (Penn) days. Many don’t know that she’s also a graphic designer, journalist, guitarist and much more.
Kayla Padilla is a trailblazer for Asian Americans and jack-of-all-trades whose legacy extends well beyond basketball.
Hailing from sunny Southern California, Padilla’s love for basketball was inevitable. She grew up surrounded by her Filipino heritage and the culture’s love of basketball. Like most other basketball-loving kids, she grew up watching the greats; admiring players like Kobe and Shaq during the iconic Los Angeles Lakers era of the 2000s.
“Growing up, a lot of my family played basketball — again, none professionally, but everyone was supportive of me playing,” Padilla said. “Where I was from — Torrance — a lot of Filipino and Asian American kids are playing. So, it just felt normal to be a part of that sort of scene.”
With a support system of her family and hometown backing her alongside a strong love and ambition for basketball — the world was her oyster. Things started getting serious for Padilla later in elementary school, as she began traveling across the U.S. for tournaments.
“But I think, you know, as I grew up, [I] obviously thought more about my future. I thought basketball is not only a way to obviously express my love for the game, but to get me to some incredible places like [going] to an Ivy League school,” Padilla said.
However, Padilla also faced certain challenges surrounding her identity. Growing up as an Asian American athlete, she had to deal with unconscious bias playing a role during the recruiting process.
“I feel like myself and probably a lot of other Asian American basketball players don’t necessarily pass the eye test. I think subconsciously, that affects a lot of how coaches and schools perceive you,” Padilla said. “Not to say that maybe my process would have been any different if I was someone else, but you just never know.
Padilla didn’t let these challenges get to her and simply focused on herself. She worked hard — and her hard work definitely paid off.
Padilla was a four-year starter and three-time team captain at Bishop Montgomery High School, where she racked up 1,907 total career points and numerous All-League and All-CIF awards. Alongside her basketball career, Padilla graduated with a 4.5 GPA and was valedictorian of her class.
After high school, Padilla ventured off to the East Coast, where she spent four years at Penn. She finished her time at the program with 1,355 points—ranking her as the seventh all-time top scorer in Penn history — over 1,000 minutes played, three First Team All-Ivy selections and two Big 5 First Team selections.
Padilla made her way home to Los Angeles in 2023, spending her final season of eligibility at USC. She made it to 1,500 total career points, won a Pac-12 Championship and helped USC to its first Elite Eight appearance since 1994.
“Looking back, obviously, only one team really ends their season on a high note. And that’s if you win the championship, so obviously a little disappointed that we couldn’t get to go any further. But just, like, what an amazing season,” Padilla said. “I’m sad it was only a one-year thing, but I made memories for life. And I just [have] nothing but gratitude about this whole experience.”
Beyond the court, Padilla has made waves in the Asian American community as a Filipina basketball player. She has been featured on pages revolving around Asian Americans in sports like @amaznhq and @filipinosinthe6ix, alongside publications like Complex Philippines. In the comments, fellow Filipinos and Asian Americans have showered her with support.
“We’re probably one of the most underrepresented demographics in college basketball. So I think, obviously, you kind of stand out in that sense and from that, I think I got a lot of exposure. [Through] the pages like AMAZN [HQ], people were able to learn more about my story,” Padilla said. “Filipinos and Asian American communities really rally behind players in that sense, and I think that gave an extra layer to playing; it was not only to compete, but to also represent something that was bigger than myself.”
Being able to serve as a voice for Filipinos and Asian Americans as a basketball player means a lot for Padilla, who grew up without seeing that much representation in the sport.
“I think because growing up there were not a lot of people to look up to. I remember really looking up to Jamie Hagiya, who was a basketball player here [at USC] in the 2000s … but there’s a very small minority,” Padilla said. “I think the game is really changing. There’s a lot more recognizable Asian talent, especially in the Ivy League and in Division I in general … I’m glad because I think it’s changing the narrative as to what we can do and what we can achieve.”
Padilla has also dedicated herself toward giving a voice to student athletes all across America. Inspired by Derek Jeter’s website, The Players’ Tribune, Padilla created The Sideline Post, where student-athletes at the collegiate level are able to use their own voice to tell their own stories. The stories touch on topics such as mental health, stereotypes, coach-player dynamics and more.
As she goes onto the next step of her life, Padilla maintains her love of the game, along with countless accolades in both basketball and academics.
“I’ve known for a while that this season was going to be the closing chapter of my basketball career. And what a way to go out. I think a lot of things on my bucket list — basketball-wise — were checked off, and I felt really fulfilled in this entire experience,” Padilla said. “I’m gonna start working, but I hope to stay involved in the basketball community in any way. It’s been a big part of my life and I don’t want it to leave.”
For aspiring Asian American athletes and student athletes in general, Padilla emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself.
“Along this whole process, embrace who you are. I think a lot of the time, it’s easy to look over, but embracing your culture, embracing who you are plays a big role in how you stand out,” Padilla said. “I think at the end of the day, everyone who’s trying to get to the Division I level is talented … [But how] you can be as a teammate, who you can be as a friend is also super important.”
While Padilla will no longer be making 3-pointers in the Galen Center, there’s no doubt she’ll make it in life. Kayla Padilla: a Filipina American and Trojan icon.