Louisville's Jude Schimmel begins the season without big sister Shoni.
Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw is hyped for the season. Freshman Brianna Turner has set the bar high for herself.
Ohio State forward Makayla Waterman is out indefinitely following knee surgery this week.
"She's got game":
Collegiate sports participation unlock the doors of success for many women.
International news:
The Women's British Basketball League will be professional within the next five years.
Former pro news:
Ruthie Bolton recently discussed her experience in an abusive marriage.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Friday, October 10, 2014
35 days 'til the season
....not that I'm counting or anything.
Old Dominion has suspended two players from the women's team and three from the men's over a physical altercation in a dorm in late August. The suspensions are indefinite.
There is a lot for Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw to like in her front line.
Colorado is ready for challenges this season.
Arizona is looking ahead.
An Australia exhibition tour over the summer helped Fresno State bond.
Illinois is hoping for a bounce-back year.
Optimism abounds at Duquesne.
Louisiana-Lafayette is staying up after a rough season.
Virgina has begun practice with youth and hope.
Oregon State is focused as practices commence.
Pepperdine is inducting Jennifer Lacy into their athletics hall of fame next weekend.
Old Dominion has suspended two players from the women's team and three from the men's over a physical altercation in a dorm in late August. The suspensions are indefinite.
There is a lot for Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw to like in her front line.
Colorado is ready for challenges this season.
Arizona is looking ahead.
An Australia exhibition tour over the summer helped Fresno State bond.
Illinois is hoping for a bounce-back year.
Optimism abounds at Duquesne.
Louisiana-Lafayette is staying up after a rough season.
Virgina has begun practice with youth and hope.
Oregon State is focused as practices commence.
Pepperdine is inducting Jennifer Lacy into their athletics hall of fame next weekend.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Pac-12 preview: the University of Utah
This is the first in an annual 12-part series previewing the Pac-12 teams for the upcoming season.
There is both good news and bad news for the Utah Utes this season.
The bad news is that top scorer, team leader and all Pac-12 team selection Michelle Plouffe graduated last spring. The good news is that second-leading point-getter Taryn Wicijowski is back from injury, as is Paige Crozon. Both join three other returning starters.
With ten players returning and five newcomers, fifth-year coach Anthony Levrets said Utah has depth this year.
“You never replace a good player like [Michelle Plouffe], but this program has had good players forever,” Levrets said. “The All-American list around here is a really long list. You don’t replace them, but the first thing is that I feel like we have good players in the program right now. We feel like we are pretty deep."
Sophomore forward Emily Potter (10.5 points per game) is back, as is junior guard Danielle Rodriguez (7.8 points per game), and senior guard Cheyenne Wilson (6.9 points per game). Crozon, a sophomore, also returns to the starting line up.
Wicijowski and Crozon both sat out last season, with a torn ACL and lingering concussion symptoms, respectively. Wicijowski averaged 14.3 points per game in 2012-2013, which was just three behind Plouffe. Leverts said her return means a lot to Utah.
"We have a two-time All-Pac-12 and one-time all-Mountain West Conference player who sat out with injury who is back and is a very good player in Taryn Wicijowski," he said. "Getting her back helps put scoring, rebounding and defense back into that spot so we’re replacing Plouffe with a two-time all-Pac-12 performer who sat out the year last year in that position."
Other notable returnees are sophomore forward Malia Nawahine (5.5 points per game) and sophomore guard Devri Owens (3.2 points per game). Four of the newcomers are decorated freshmen: guard Gabrielle Bowie, forwards Jada Matthews and Tanaeya Boclair, and center Joeseta Fateusi. Also new to the Utes is junior guard Katie Kuklok - a transfer from Utah Valley University who averaged 16 points per game there last year. Levrets is excited about Wicijowski and Crozon's return coinciding with the arrival of Kuklok.
“For the rest of the team, every year you just want every player to get better," Leverts said. "We also have great additions to the program, both through freshmen recruiting, [Wicijowski] coming back from injury, [Crozon] coming back from injury and then the transfer Katie [Kuklok] coming to us.”
Replacing Plouffe won't be easy for Utah. She averaged 18.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, carrying the team again and again.
But if Wicijowski, Crozon and Kuklok take the lead and the newcomers develop quickly, it might get the Utes over the hump, as they've struggled since moving from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 in 2011-2012. After a rocky first year in the Pac they had a promising second year, but struggled last season and finished eleventh in the conference.
Levrets is optimistic about the impending season.
"We feel like we have a bunch more scoring in way more places than we’ve had in the past," he said.
Utah has a challenging pre-conference schedule, as they are set to take on Creighton, Nebraska, BYU and Louisiana Tech. They tip off Pac-12 play on the road at Cal on Jan. 3.
There is both good news and bad news for the Utah Utes this season.
The bad news is that top scorer, team leader and all Pac-12 team selection Michelle Plouffe graduated last spring. The good news is that second-leading point-getter Taryn Wicijowski is back from injury, as is Paige Crozon. Both join three other returning starters.
With ten players returning and five newcomers, fifth-year coach Anthony Levrets said Utah has depth this year.
“You never replace a good player like [Michelle Plouffe], but this program has had good players forever,” Levrets said. “The All-American list around here is a really long list. You don’t replace them, but the first thing is that I feel like we have good players in the program right now. We feel like we are pretty deep."
Sophomore forward Emily Potter (10.5 points per game) is back, as is junior guard Danielle Rodriguez (7.8 points per game), and senior guard Cheyenne Wilson (6.9 points per game). Crozon, a sophomore, also returns to the starting line up.
Wicijowski and Crozon both sat out last season, with a torn ACL and lingering concussion symptoms, respectively. Wicijowski averaged 14.3 points per game in 2012-2013, which was just three behind Plouffe. Leverts said her return means a lot to Utah.
"We have a two-time All-Pac-12 and one-time all-Mountain West Conference player who sat out with injury who is back and is a very good player in Taryn Wicijowski," he said. "Getting her back helps put scoring, rebounding and defense back into that spot so we’re replacing Plouffe with a two-time all-Pac-12 performer who sat out the year last year in that position."
Other notable returnees are sophomore forward Malia Nawahine (5.5 points per game) and sophomore guard Devri Owens (3.2 points per game). Four of the newcomers are decorated freshmen: guard Gabrielle Bowie, forwards Jada Matthews and Tanaeya Boclair, and center Joeseta Fateusi. Also new to the Utes is junior guard Katie Kuklok - a transfer from Utah Valley University who averaged 16 points per game there last year. Levrets is excited about Wicijowski and Crozon's return coinciding with the arrival of Kuklok.
“For the rest of the team, every year you just want every player to get better," Leverts said. "We also have great additions to the program, both through freshmen recruiting, [Wicijowski] coming back from injury, [Crozon] coming back from injury and then the transfer Katie [Kuklok] coming to us.”
Replacing Plouffe won't be easy for Utah. She averaged 18.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, carrying the team again and again.
But if Wicijowski, Crozon and Kuklok take the lead and the newcomers develop quickly, it might get the Utes over the hump, as they've struggled since moving from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 in 2011-2012. After a rocky first year in the Pac they had a promising second year, but struggled last season and finished eleventh in the conference.
Levrets is optimistic about the impending season.
"We feel like we have a bunch more scoring in way more places than we’ve had in the past," he said.
Utah has a challenging pre-conference schedule, as they are set to take on Creighton, Nebraska, BYU and Louisiana Tech. They tip off Pac-12 play on the road at Cal on Jan. 3.
Play 4 Kay games will feature 14 top teams
ESPN has announced its "Play 4 Kay" games for this season, to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Among 14 top teams that will be playing are Tennessee, South Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame, California and Louisville.
More college news:
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley plans to use her international coaching success with the Gamecocks this season.
Baylor freshman Deykeia Cohen is competing in the National Entrepreneurship Challenge. She advanced to the semifinals today.
Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt previews his team.
Nebraska has the task of replacing Jordan Hooper.
Notre Dame freshman Brianna Turner is getting use to the pace of the college game.
LSU had a Marines mentality in their first practice.
Ohio State has limited experience up front.
Elevate is the key word for Florida this year.
West Virginia coach Mike Carey previews the season.
Texas Tech has intensity and patience.
Boise State preview.
Daisha Simmons:
The NCAA has cleared Daisha Simmons to play at Seton Hall, effective immediately.
Longtime emcee Dick Vitale criticized both Alabama and the NCAA as "lacking common sense."
Referees:
June Courteau has been named the NCAA’s national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating.
Longtime NBA referee Violet Palmer was shaped by her experience at Cal Poly Pomona.
More college news:
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley plans to use her international coaching success with the Gamecocks this season.
Baylor freshman Deykeia Cohen is competing in the National Entrepreneurship Challenge. She advanced to the semifinals today.
Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt previews his team.
Nebraska has the task of replacing Jordan Hooper.
Notre Dame freshman Brianna Turner is getting use to the pace of the college game.
LSU had a Marines mentality in their first practice.
Ohio State has limited experience up front.
Elevate is the key word for Florida this year.
West Virginia coach Mike Carey previews the season.
Texas Tech has intensity and patience.
Boise State preview.
Daisha Simmons:
The NCAA has cleared Daisha Simmons to play at Seton Hall, effective immediately.
Longtime emcee Dick Vitale criticized both Alabama and the NCAA as "lacking common sense."
Referees:
June Courteau has been named the NCAA’s national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating.
Longtime NBA referee Violet Palmer was shaped by her experience at Cal Poly Pomona.
Coach Patrick Harrington dies from injuries sustained in car accident
Northwest Florida State College coach Patrick Harrington died this morning from injuries he sustained last week in a car accident:
A community is grieving for a beloved basketball coach who passed away from injuries sustained in a head-on collision.
Patrick Harrington died early Thursday, exactly a week after emergency crews had to cut him from his vehicle and airlift him to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
He was 51.
Statement from the college.
So very, very sad. Ugh.
A community is grieving for a beloved basketball coach who passed away from injuries sustained in a head-on collision.
Patrick Harrington died early Thursday, exactly a week after emergency crews had to cut him from his vehicle and airlift him to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
He was 51.
Statement from the college.
So very, very sad. Ugh.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Random hoop bits
Expectations are high for youthful Notre Dame.
The Lisa Fortier era at Gonzaga has begun.
Janee Thompson is taking a leadership role at Kentucky.
Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne talks about the upcoming season.
Nine facts to kick off your Montana Grizzlies year.
WNBA:
The WNBA remains the leader in professional sports league in diverse hiring practices.
More on Shoni Schimmel's visit to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.
Cappie Pondexter will play in Australia's WNBL this winter.
The Lisa Fortier era at Gonzaga has begun.
Janee Thompson is taking a leadership role at Kentucky.
Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne talks about the upcoming season.
Nine facts to kick off your Montana Grizzlies year.
WNBA:
The WNBA remains the leader in professional sports league in diverse hiring practices.
More on Shoni Schimmel's visit to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.
Cappie Pondexter will play in Australia's WNBL this winter.
The decline of Southern California basketball
What has happened to the state of girls and women's basketball in Southern California over the last few years? Simply put, it's like the sport has fallen off the face of the Earth here.
The area has historically yielded basketball greats, from the USC National Championships of the 1980's to Tina Thompson, Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie. The Sparks' WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002 marked a time when the team and the league were wildly popular in Los Angeles. City high school teams reflected this passion, as competition was great and many teams were nationally-ranked.
In recent years, however, player quality and interest at all levels of women's hoops in Southern California has declined.
One of the first things I noticed when I moved here almost a decade ago was that USC, UCLA and other area college teams didn't draw the crowds that they do in other cities. This isn't unusual for a large urban area with lots of attractions and distractions to compete with, so I could understand it. The high school play was great, though, so I caught as much of that as I could when I wasn't coaching.
In 2007, changes began happening that continued year after year, as coaches of high-profile prep teams began leaving sometimes long-time gigs at schools. The programs then declined. Now there are virtually no Los Angeles city teams that are contenders anymore - that honor belongs to the teams of the suburbs, which we in California call the Southern Section.
Last winter's final high school rankings looked good for Southern California, as five of the top 25 teams were from the Southern Section. That number will likely go down this year to the levels of the top 25 of 2012-2013, as several seniors graduated last spring.
One, two or even three schools represented in the nation's top 25 is paltry in light of the fact that the Southern Section includes about 570 high schools.
The number of high-profile recruits from Southern California has declined, as well. Look at the rankings of the class of 2015 compared to those of the class of 2011.
So what is going on? High school and club ball coaches have a lot of theories, but nothing concrete, and no one wants to go on record to discuss them. Some point to the lack of free programs in the cities (due to budget cuts) that prevent athlete involvement. Others say the draw of private and charter schools have siphoned away all the talent, and watered it down. It's probably a bit of both. What doesn't seem explainable to me is that the passion and enthusiasm around high school and club ball just doesn't seem to be there anymore. I can't tell you why, but it's trickled upward to the adult level, too.
Incredibly, this past summer there were no NCAA-certified summer leagues for adult women in the Los Angeles area. There have been two in recent years, but neither was in operation in 2014. Organizers of one league said no one was available to run it. The other league reported faltering interest and lack of players.
The Women's Blue Chip Basketball League is Pro-Am, but none of the teams are in Southern California. This indicates a lack of interest in the area.
The only women's league this year is the Drew League, going on right now. But organizers have declined to return my messages asking for a website or game schedule.
The Sparks saw a 16 percent decline in attendance this year, with the Staples Center seemingly empty for almost every game.
In one of the most densely-populated areas of the country, the sudden lack of women's basketball is a mystery. It's not like there is a lack of quality players. What happened? I want my basketball back.
The area has historically yielded basketball greats, from the USC National Championships of the 1980's to Tina Thompson, Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie. The Sparks' WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002 marked a time when the team and the league were wildly popular in Los Angeles. City high school teams reflected this passion, as competition was great and many teams were nationally-ranked.
In recent years, however, player quality and interest at all levels of women's hoops in Southern California has declined.
One of the first things I noticed when I moved here almost a decade ago was that USC, UCLA and other area college teams didn't draw the crowds that they do in other cities. This isn't unusual for a large urban area with lots of attractions and distractions to compete with, so I could understand it. The high school play was great, though, so I caught as much of that as I could when I wasn't coaching.
In 2007, changes began happening that continued year after year, as coaches of high-profile prep teams began leaving sometimes long-time gigs at schools. The programs then declined. Now there are virtually no Los Angeles city teams that are contenders anymore - that honor belongs to the teams of the suburbs, which we in California call the Southern Section.
Last winter's final high school rankings looked good for Southern California, as five of the top 25 teams were from the Southern Section. That number will likely go down this year to the levels of the top 25 of 2012-2013, as several seniors graduated last spring.
One, two or even three schools represented in the nation's top 25 is paltry in light of the fact that the Southern Section includes about 570 high schools.
The number of high-profile recruits from Southern California has declined, as well. Look at the rankings of the class of 2015 compared to those of the class of 2011.
So what is going on? High school and club ball coaches have a lot of theories, but nothing concrete, and no one wants to go on record to discuss them. Some point to the lack of free programs in the cities (due to budget cuts) that prevent athlete involvement. Others say the draw of private and charter schools have siphoned away all the talent, and watered it down. It's probably a bit of both. What doesn't seem explainable to me is that the passion and enthusiasm around high school and club ball just doesn't seem to be there anymore. I can't tell you why, but it's trickled upward to the adult level, too.
Incredibly, this past summer there were no NCAA-certified summer leagues for adult women in the Los Angeles area. There have been two in recent years, but neither was in operation in 2014. Organizers of one league said no one was available to run it. The other league reported faltering interest and lack of players.
The Women's Blue Chip Basketball League is Pro-Am, but none of the teams are in Southern California. This indicates a lack of interest in the area.
The only women's league this year is the Drew League, going on right now. But organizers have declined to return my messages asking for a website or game schedule.
The Sparks saw a 16 percent decline in attendance this year, with the Staples Center seemingly empty for almost every game.
In one of the most densely-populated areas of the country, the sudden lack of women's basketball is a mystery. It's not like there is a lack of quality players. What happened? I want my basketball back.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Alabama reverses its stance, will grant Daisha Simmons waiver
The University of Alabama says it will support a waiver to allow Daisha Simmons to play at Seton Hall this season, reversing its previous denial:
The Simmons situation had prompted criticism of Alabama from media outlets and social media in recent weeks.
Initially, Alabama had given Simmons a release from her scholarship to transfer to Seton Hall but had not supported the waiver. The NCAA had ruled that without the waiver from her previous school, she would need to sit out this season but could play in 2015-16.
Simmons said illnesses in her immediate family contributed to her desire to transfer to Seton Hall, which is close to her home in New Jersey. She wants to finish her collegiate career this season.
Simmons' older brother, Chaz, has kidney disease; he is on dialysis awaiting a transplant. Her mother, Christena, works two jobs in support of the family and has been dealing with health issues as well.
In a statement Tuesday, Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said, "Much of the university's original decision not to endorse a waiver was based on the fact that Miss Simmons declined to provide any information supporting her reasoning for seeking a waiver. This was despite requests to obtain documentation verifying hardship to support a waiver request."
Simmons said UA knew about the situation:
And now Simmons has spoken out again, opting to respond to claims that Alabama wasn't fully aware of her family's issues when she sought transfer. Simmons' brother is battling a life-threatening kidney condition and currently waiting on a list for a kidney transfer. Simmons drives him almost every day for dialysis treatments. Meanwhile, Simmons' mother has reportedly battled undisclosed health issues of her own in recent months.
Wow.
More college news:
An NCAA Tournament encore will be tough for BYU. They plan to push the pace this year.
For South Carolina, a national championship is the only goal.
Maryland coach Brenda Frese is wondering what it will be like for the Terps in the Big Ten this season.
Texas Tech looks to rebound from a tough season last year.
Tennessee-Chattanooga has a new look this year.
Penn State is young this season.
Iowa State's future is bright with Jadda Buckley and Seanna Johnson.
Q&A with Oregon forward Jillian Alleyne.
Green Bay coach Kevin Borseth's contract has been extended through 2018-2019.
The Simmons situation had prompted criticism of Alabama from media outlets and social media in recent weeks.
Initially, Alabama had given Simmons a release from her scholarship to transfer to Seton Hall but had not supported the waiver. The NCAA had ruled that without the waiver from her previous school, she would need to sit out this season but could play in 2015-16.
Simmons said illnesses in her immediate family contributed to her desire to transfer to Seton Hall, which is close to her home in New Jersey. She wants to finish her collegiate career this season.
Simmons' older brother, Chaz, has kidney disease; he is on dialysis awaiting a transplant. Her mother, Christena, works two jobs in support of the family and has been dealing with health issues as well.
In a statement Tuesday, Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said, "Much of the university's original decision not to endorse a waiver was based on the fact that Miss Simmons declined to provide any information supporting her reasoning for seeking a waiver. This was despite requests to obtain documentation verifying hardship to support a waiver request."
Simmons said UA knew about the situation:
And now Simmons has spoken out again, opting to respond to claims that Alabama wasn't fully aware of her family's issues when she sought transfer. Simmons' brother is battling a life-threatening kidney condition and currently waiting on a list for a kidney transfer. Simmons drives him almost every day for dialysis treatments. Meanwhile, Simmons' mother has reportedly battled undisclosed health issues of her own in recent months.
Wow.
More college news:
An NCAA Tournament encore will be tough for BYU. They plan to push the pace this year.
For South Carolina, a national championship is the only goal.
Maryland coach Brenda Frese is wondering what it will be like for the Terps in the Big Ten this season.
Texas Tech looks to rebound from a tough season last year.
Tennessee-Chattanooga has a new look this year.
Penn State is young this season.
Iowa State's future is bright with Jadda Buckley and Seanna Johnson.
Q&A with Oregon forward Jillian Alleyne.
Green Bay coach Kevin Borseth's contract has been extended through 2018-2019.
Monday, October 6, 2014
The other Summitt is out to re-shape the culture at Louisiana Tech
First-year Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt pushed his team to the breaking point in their first practice today:
RUSTON – Any doubts about Tyler Summitt changing the culture around Louisiana Tech's women's basketball program were put to rest Monday morning.
Weight vests, not basketballs, dominated the Lady Techsters' first official practice of the fall as the main focus surrounded defense, rebounding and physicality.
"I'm not sure the players loved (it) … but it's a culture that we gotta instill," Summitt said. "The sooner we buy into it, the quicker we can actually get to using a basketball."
Many other teams began official practices today too, including Tennessee, Penn State, Purdue, George Washington, Iowa, Hawaii, Indiana, New Mexico, Idaho, Akron, UAB and Bowling Green, among others.
More college news:
The University of Alabama's president has declined to review Daisha Simmons' transfer, and considers the matter closed. Simmons will file a Title IX complaint.
Lady Vol seniors Ariel Massengale, Cierra Burdick and Isabelle Harrison will be counted on to lead this year. Tennessee players say they're heeding coach Holly Warlick's message.
Lafayette just got lucky: Theresa Grentz is now an assistant coach.
Emily Roberts and Sean Costello join Appalachian State as assistant coaches.
LaTanya Collins is the new assistant to the head coach and director of student-athlete player development at Virginia Tech.
Colorado junior forward Arielle Roberson will miss the season with a torn ACL.
Northwest Florida State players are rallying around coach Patrick Harrington after he was in a car accident last week.
More women in coaching?
The NBA's Dallas Mavericks are hosting Storm associate head coach Jenny Boucek during their training camp.
The Toronto Raptors have invited Sparks guard Lindsey Harding to observe their training camp.
RUSTON – Any doubts about Tyler Summitt changing the culture around Louisiana Tech's women's basketball program were put to rest Monday morning.
Weight vests, not basketballs, dominated the Lady Techsters' first official practice of the fall as the main focus surrounded defense, rebounding and physicality.
"I'm not sure the players loved (it) … but it's a culture that we gotta instill," Summitt said. "The sooner we buy into it, the quicker we can actually get to using a basketball."
Many other teams began official practices today too, including Tennessee, Penn State, Purdue, George Washington, Iowa, Hawaii, Indiana, New Mexico, Idaho, Akron, UAB and Bowling Green, among others.
More college news:
The University of Alabama's president has declined to review Daisha Simmons' transfer, and considers the matter closed. Simmons will file a Title IX complaint.
Lady Vol seniors Ariel Massengale, Cierra Burdick and Isabelle Harrison will be counted on to lead this year. Tennessee players say they're heeding coach Holly Warlick's message.
Lafayette just got lucky: Theresa Grentz is now an assistant coach.
Emily Roberts and Sean Costello join Appalachian State as assistant coaches.
LaTanya Collins is the new assistant to the head coach and director of student-athlete player development at Virginia Tech.
Colorado junior forward Arielle Roberson will miss the season with a torn ACL.
Northwest Florida State players are rallying around coach Patrick Harrington after he was in a car accident last week.
More women in coaching?
The NBA's Dallas Mavericks are hosting Storm associate head coach Jenny Boucek during their training camp.
The Toronto Raptors have invited Sparks guard Lindsey Harding to observe their training camp.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WNBA star Shoni Schimmel visits Western Montana Indian reservation
Shoni Schimmel visited a Western Montana Indian reservation today to inspire young people to succeed in school:
Shoni's message was clear and simple: She expressed the importance of staying in school, getting good grades, listening to your parents, staying away from drugs and alcohol and always believing in yourself.
The former Louisville superstar grew up in poverty, but her commitment to basketball presented her with the opportunity to prosper. Her journey from tough times growing up on the reservation serves as inspiration.
"She's not only big on this reservation, but just all over the country. You know young people look up to her knowing that she did it and she's been in the position that they were at, at one time in their life, and to see her be successful, you know its amazing her influence," Salish Kootenai College Athletic Director Juan Perez said.
Outstanding.
Shoni's message was clear and simple: She expressed the importance of staying in school, getting good grades, listening to your parents, staying away from drugs and alcohol and always believing in yourself.
The former Louisville superstar grew up in poverty, but her commitment to basketball presented her with the opportunity to prosper. Her journey from tough times growing up on the reservation serves as inspiration.
"She's not only big on this reservation, but just all over the country. You know young people look up to her knowing that she did it and she's been in the position that they were at, at one time in their life, and to see her be successful, you know its amazing her influence," Salish Kootenai College Athletic Director Juan Perez said.
Outstanding.
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