The 19-year-old Queens woman killed last month by a stray bullet as gunfire erupted at a Long Island house party had met challenge after challenge her basketball coach laid in front of her.

Damel Ling said he pushed Amira McCleod to her limits freshman year — so much so he wasn’t even sure if she’d even play again this year for Monroe University in the Bronx.

“She had the conviction to say, ‘I’m not done coach, I’m coming back,’ Ling, 47, recalled. “And then all the things we talked about at the end of last year, she returned with and was a leader from day one, whether she’s helping her teammates out, helping a freshman get acclimated. She did a complete 180.”

“It was a pleasant surprise and a great transition to watch her bloom into a leader. That’s what she was, and that’s what sh

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