Summit League Media Recap and Response

Posted on October 6, 2026 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

SUMMIT LEAGUE MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:

  1. North Dakota State
  2. Saint Thomas
  3. South Dakota State
  4. Omaha
  5. South Dakota
  6. North Dakota
  7. Oral Roberts
  8. Kansas City

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-SUMMIT LEAGUE 1ST TEAM:

-Kendall Blue – SR, G – Saint Thomas
-Carter Bjerke – SR, F – Saint Thomas
-Connor Dow – SR, G – Oral Roberts
-Austin Herro – SR, G – Saint Thomas
-Joe Sayler – JR, G – South Dakota State (Preseason Player of the Year)
-Andy Stefonowics – JR, G – North Dakota State

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-SUMMIT LEAGUE 2ND TEAM:

-Vince Buzelis – SO, G – South Dakota
-Kalen Garry – SR, G – South Dakota State
-Jaylen Smith – SR, G – Kansas City
-Grant Stubblefield – SR, G – Omaha
-Jesse Van Kalsbeek – JR, F – South Dakota State

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COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-North Dakota State was last year’s 1st place team and conference tournament winner, so it’s not a huge surprise that they are once again considered the favorites. They are faced with the same problem a lot of good under the radar teams face from year to year, and that’s rebuilding the roster. Just one starter is back, and that’s PG Andy Stefonwicx, who is a solid player to have returning. They do have some D1 experience transferring in as Rob Diaz comes in from Long Beach State and Melvin Bell comes in from San Jose State. Both were solid players a year ago who may embrace the opportunity to step into a bigger role. Some standout players from lower divisions also join the mix.

-Saint Thomas has been a tremendous success as a transitional program winning 24 games in each of the last two seasons. The problem is only one starter returns, but the good news is that they’ve been able to reload their talent and I think they can win the Summit this year. Brogan Madson was a standout D2 player who is transferring in and Julius Wade put up big numbers in the JUCO ranks. Carter Bjerke is another player to watch, and he’s joined by Austin Herro and Kendall Blue in receiving preseason all-conference honors.

-South Dakota State had an uncharacteristically tough year last year where they won just 14 total games and went just 7-9 in league play. It was the first year for head coach Bryan Petersen and he looks to get them back to 20+ wins like what we’re used to seeing this year. They were starting to show a few signs of life down the stretch and with Joe Sayler and Kalen Garry both returning the Jackrabbits have a very solid backcourt. Trey Buchanan is also back after missing the entire second half of the season due to an injury. The challenge for them will be the frontcourt. Can some of the new guys step up?

-Two years ago Omaha became famous for terrorizing trashcans after wins. Last year, they didn’t win quite as much and this year they are looking to rebuild their roster. Grant Stubblefield returns at PG, but he is the only returning starter. They don’t have much in the way of proven D1 experience, so the rest of the roster will need to step up if Omaha is going to finish in the top half of the conference.

-I’ve always had a soft spot for the Yotes. I’m not even sure why. This year…well…it’s a lot of new guys. Melo Sanchez was a solid player for Central Connecticut last year, and Vince Vuzelis had a solid freshman year for the Yotes a year ago, but they don’t have a lot of experience and right now there are just more questions than answers.

-North Dakota had a rather unremarkable season overall last year, but in the second half of conference play they started to heat up. They finished the season winning 7 of their last 11 and then advanced to the conference championship game where they played a solid game against North Dakota State. Zach Kraft is back, who is a very good outside shooter, and they’ve added some guys that put up big numbers in D2, so I’m a little surprised North Dakota was picked this low. I don’t think they’ll win the league, but I think they can do a lot better than 6th.

-Oral Roberts won 30 games in 2022-2023 and has been absolutely terrible since. They were just 4-12 in league play last year and don’t seem to be showing many signs of being a whole lot better this year. Connor Dow is a solid player, but he’ll need some help if ORU is going to compete in this league.

-Kansas City…what has happened to the Roos?? They won just one conference game last year, and that was their only D1 win. They have completely overhauled their roster, which is probably a good thing. Jaylen Smith comes in from East Tennessee State, who was a solid player. Sabastian Hartmann, who put up decent numbers at Chattanooga, also joins the squad. Other than that, it’s a young team. I think they’ll win more than one D1 game this year, but it still may be a long year.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Iowa JR G Chit-Chat Wright

Posted on October 6, 2026 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

We are less than 4 weeks away from the tip-off of the new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Iowa JR G Chit-Chat Wright, who talked about being a great 3-PT shooter and her expectations for this season.

You allegedly got your nickname around age 10 from your AAU teammates due to your quiet personality, but in high school you were a 3-time team captain: how have your vocal leadership skills developed over the past decade? I started off as a shy kid who did not really talk on the court and just led by example. I have grown into a leader who talks to my teammates/coaches as my growth/maturity have helped me share my point of view with others.

You won a high school state track title: how much of an advantage is your athleticism on the basketball court? It really helps with my endurance. I was not the best athlete on the track team, but I got to be with my friends and stay in shape. I can go for a long period of time in a basketball game without getting tired.

You were born/raised in Georgia: what made you choose Georgia Tech to start your college career? I wanted to stay close to home because I am very family oriented, and I knew some of the other incoming freshmen quite well.

You played all 33 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? On that team, I just played my role. I was not the star player, but when I got into the game I did all the little things to keep myself on the court: make the right read, have a good box-out, etc.

Why did you transfer last year, and what made you choose Iowa? There were a lot of different things that happened. 1 of my assistant coaches came to Iowa and thought it would be a good idea for me to look at the school. I did not take another visit after coming here because I knew that it was the place I wanted to be.

Last January you scored 11 PTS including a buzzer-beater from beyond half-court to finish the 1st in a 7-PT win over Michigan State (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fgIsDM7okM): did you think that it was going in, and where does that rank among the highlights of your career so far? That is a top highlight for me so far. When I released it, I thought that it might go in, which is why I started leaning away. Seeing my teammates/coaches screaming after it went in was also fun!

Speaking of long-range shooting, you increased your shooting percentage from 32.3 3P% as a freshman to 44 3P% (#8 in the nation) as a sophomore: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? Most of it is being able to stay consistent throughout the entire season. I work on my endurance and game-ready shots: the fundamentals are important.

Last March you made it to the Big 10 tourney title game before losing to eventual national champ UCLA, then beat FDU in the NCAA tourney before a 2-OT loss to Virginia: what did you learn from your postseason run that you think will help you this year? It was a great run…but this year we want to go deeper in the NCAA tourney. Coming in as the new kid and stepping into a leadership role as a PG was good, but now I know everyone better and as a captain I have become better at speaking up.

Your 15,000-seat gym has been sold out for 3 straight years: how much of a home-court advantage do you have at Carver-Hawkeye Arena? That means a lot: you do not see that in a lot of places. Seeing the fans show up day in and day out no matter who we are playing is amazing. It is also a selling point and motivates you. Knowing that everyone came out and bought a ticket just to watch your team play: I love it!

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? A lot of people say they want to win conference tourney and NCAA tourney titles, but I am more process-driven and focused on development. I want to push our team to be the greatest we can be by working hard in the gym, which will give us a great result in March.

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Patriot League Media Day Recap and Response

Posted on October 6, 2026 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

PATRIOT LEAGUE MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:

  1. American
  2. Lehigh
  3. Colgate
  4. Boston U
  5. Navy
  6. Bucknell
  7. Lafayette
  8. Holy Cross
  9. Loyola MD
  10. Army

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE TEAM:

-Madden Collins – SO, G – American
-Greg Jones – SR, F – American (Defensive Player of the Year)
-Kyrone Alexander – SR, G – Boston U
-Andrew Alekseyenko – SO, F – Colgate
-Hank Alvey – JR, F/C – Lehigh (Player of the Year)

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COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-American had a very average season last year going 9-9 in league play, but with four starters returning, that experience has made them the preseason favorites to win the league this year. Madden Collins averaged over 13ppg last year and will be a solid backcourt player for them again this year. Kade Sebastian is a really good outside shooter and another player to keep an eye on, and Greg Jones gives them a strong presence in the paint. This team is balanced, experienced, and capable of making a lot of noise this year.

-Lehigh tied for 2nd place last year, then won the conference tournament to advance to the NCAA First Four. With four starters back, including Hank Alvey, who is one of the best frontcourt players in the PL (and really best overall players), I cannot imagine how they were not picked to win the league. I mean…they were picked 2nd, which is hardly bad, but this is a solid Lehigh squad! Edouard Benoit is another solid frontcourt player who can both score/rebound. Chris Tshibola also transfers in from Canada where he averaged over 20ppg a season ago. They are a little unproven in the backcourt, but they still have a solid overall team and I think they can get back to the NCAA Tournament this year.

-Colgate was injury-riddled last year, but they still had a good season and return some key pieces for this year. Andrew Alekseyenko averaged over 14.8ppg last year and was both a solid rebounder and a good outside shooter. He is a guy with both size and range. Sam Wright was another double-digit scorer so the Raiders have a strong frontcourt. They will be in the mix for the conference title this year.

-Boston U had a modest 10-8 record last season in league play, but upset Navy in the conference semis, which was a huge shock considering how dominant Navy had been all season. A couple of starters are back this season as is Kyrone Alexander, who missed nearly all of last season due to injury. Sam Hughes had a solid season as a freshman last year and is a good outside shooter, so he is someone to keep an eye on. They have also added some standout D-2 and D-3 players. And…they play on The Roof!!!

-There are good upsets and bad upsets in college basketball. A good upset is when a good team from a lower-level conference that has been largely overlooked takes down a heavyweight. A bad upset is when a team from an Under the Radar league dominates, but is then denied that chance at the big stage due to one bad day in the conference tournament. Navy lost just two Patriot League games last year. Unfortunately one of them was in the semifinals of the conference tournament, and despite finishing 6 games ahead of the 2nd place team they did not make the NCAA Tournament. A couple of starters return this year, but they do not appear to be nearly as strong. Jinwoo Kim and Cam Cole are fantastic outside shooters, but they will need to have some guys step into new roles if they are going to compete for the top of the league this year.

-Bucknell won just ten games a year ago and could be in for another long year this year. Two starters are back and they have added some standout guys from the D-2 level, but I expect the Bison to struggle this year. 6th place is where they are picked and I think that appears to be their ceiling.

-Just one starter is back for Lafayette this year after a frustrating 11-21 season. Cooper Kesler transfers in from Southerm Idaho, where he shout an incredible 43% from beyond the arc, so he is a player to watch. Aaron Sievert is another transfer who shot over 40% from deep in JUCO last year. So, if Lafayette can do anything this year, it is hit from the outside!

-It has been a very long time since Holy Cross has been even decent in PL play, let alone good. They were tied for 9th place last year and won just 11 games overall. They do add a couple of standout players who had dominant stat lines at D-2 schools last year in Kole Hanson and Arius Alijosius, but they appear to be lacking when it comes to players who currently have solid D-1 experience.

-Loyola MD struggled down the stretch last year and then lost most of their key players, so they are starting over with a rather inexperienced roster. But, it is a chance for players who have played limited roles and minutes to now emerge.

-Army has four starters returning, so because of that experience, I am a little shocked they were picked to finish dead-last. But, they did tie for dead-last last season and finished the year losing eight of their last nine.

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Big East Media Day Recap and Response

Posted on October 5, 2026 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

BIG EAST MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:

  1. Connecticut
  2. Saint John’s
  3. Villanova
  4. Marquette
  5. Providence
  6. Xavier
  7. Creighton
  8. DePaul
  9. Seton Hall
  10. Georgetown
  11. Butler

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Silas Demary – SR, G – Connecticut

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Colben Landrew – FR, F – Connecticut

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST 1ST TEAM:

-Braylon Mullins – SO, G – Connecticut
-Nigel James Jr. – SO, G – Marquette
-Ian Jackson – JR, G – Saint John’s
-Tounde Yessoufou – SO, G – Saint John’s
-Tyler Perkins – SR, G – Villanova

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST 2ND TEAM:

-Na’jai Hines – SO, F – Connecticut
-Royce Parham – JR, F – Marquette
-Miles Byrd – SR, G – Providence
-Kwame Evans Jr. – SR, F – Villanova
-Devin Royal – SR, F – Villanova

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST 3RD TEAM:

-Oswin Erhunmwunse – JR, C – Creighton
-Jackson McAndrew – JR, F – Creighton
-Layden Blocker – SR, G – DePaul
-Sananda Fru – SR, F – Marquette
-Jovan Milicevic – JR, F – Xavier
-Mike Nwoko – SR, F – Xavier

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COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-Connecticut was last year’s national runner-up and with the talent they have coming back along with the talent they are adding, not only are they once again the favorites to win the Big East, but they are a team that could be on their way back to the Final Four. Silas Demary Jr. is the preseason player of the year, and he and Braylon Mullins make up what is probably the best backcourt in the conference and perhaps one of the stronger backcourts in the nation. Colben Landrew is a highly-touted freshman and should be able to contribute right away. This team is balanced, they have depth, and they could make yet another deep run come March.

-Saint John’s was last year’s regular season Big East Champs, posting an amazing 18-2 conference record. The bad news that only one starter is back. The good news is that no one has adapted to the modern day transfer-heavy-portal world that we live in as well as the Johnnies, particularly because of Coach Rick Pitino, and they are once again reloaded with talent. Tounde Yessoufou was a standout player at Baylor last year, and they also add guys like Quinn Ellis (who played in Italy), Ian Jackson (who was a good outside shooter last year and should see way more minutes this year), and Babacar Sane (who is a strong frontcourt player but has an eligibility case that remains unresolved). It is hard to say how well the Johnnies will do with so many new players, but they have won 30+ games for two straight years and history seems to indicate that they will have another strong team.

-Villanova is coming off a solid year where they won 24 games, finished 15-5 in the Big East, and made the NCAA Tournament. Matt Hodge and Tyler Perkins return after playing key roles last year and give the Wildcats a strong frontcourt presence. 7’3″ Luigi Suigo is an international player who is expected to play a big role and is worth keeping an eye on as the starting center. Kwame Evans Jr. transfers in from Oregon and Devin Royal comes in from Ohio State, both of whom averaged over 13ppg last year, so Nova definitely has some pieces.

-Marquette had a nightmare season last year where they only won 12 total games and finished just 7-13 in Big East play. Having said that, they were starting to play better down the stretch and with three starters back and the additions of Sananda Fru from Louisville and Nolan Minessale from Saint Thomas, they seem to have a mixture of both experience and talent and Shaka Smart’s gang will likely be much improved this year. I am a little surprised the media picked them this high given how poorly they played last season, but I do agree with the pick.

-Bryan Hodgson takes over at Providence and has his work cut out for him. The Friars won just 15 games last year and just 12 the year before that. They went into the portal to add Miles Byrd from San Diego State, who is a good all-around player. Arrinten Page was a double-digit scorer for Northwestern and Samson Aletan was a solid player for Yale. Malik Mack, who averaged over 13ppg last year at Georgetown, also transfers in and will likely be starting at the point. So the Friars have picked up some good pieces and managed to build a solid roster. We will see if they can improve this year.

-Richard Pitino is in his second year at Xavier, and after winning just 15 games last year he must rebuild the roster. Just one starter is back, but they have picked up quite a bit of talent. Tru Washington was a solid player for Miami FL last year and Chance Westry was really strong at UAB. Ruben Dominguez also comes in having averaged double-figures for Texas A&M last year, and Mike Nwoko is a solid forward who comes in from LSU. So, Xavier has a solid roster that is balanced and more talented than it was a year ago. I also like Richard Pitino as a coach and can see Xavier as a dark horse in the Big East this year. It would not shock me to see them make the (now expanded) NCAA Tournament.

-Alan Huss takes over head coaching duties at Creighton after a subpar 16-win season a year go. Creighton had won 25 games in each of the two previous seasons. I am thinking last year was just an anomaly and the Bluejays will be strong again this year. I think they are being picked a little low in the preseason rankings. Jasen Green returns and is a solid frontcourt player, Isaac Traudt is a solid outside shooter who can step into a bigger role this year, Fredrick King was a solid player for Murray State a year ago, and Wesley Rosa was a strong rebounder for Kansas last year. The Jays have some pieces and appear to have a very solid frontcourt and several guys who can hit from beyond the arc.

-I am a huge fan of Chris Holtmann and believe him to be a fantastic coach. While DePaul still has a long way to go, they are noticeably better than they were before he got there. They were a solid 16-16 last year, which is more wins than they have had in recent memory. The problem is they are having to rebuild their roster. Only two starters are back, but they do add Wilson Jacques, who was a solid frontcourt player at Fresno State last year, and 7′ Magoon Gwath, who was (surprisingly) a fantastic outside shooter at San Diego State. DePaul will probably not be anywhere near the NCAA Tournament, but they will not be quite as far away as what we are used to seeing.

-Seton Hall was one of the biggest surprises in all of college basketball last year. After being picked almost unanimously to not only finish last, but to finish a long way off from 10th place, the Pirates won 21 games, finished a very impressive 10-10 in Big East play, and were just outside the top 50 of the NET. This year, expectations are once again low. Just one starter returns, but they do have some guys that were standout players at other D1 programs coming in. Del Jones averaged over 17ppg at Radford last year, Roddie Anderson III was a solid player at Xavier, Kareem Thomas averaged just under 16ppg at Dartmouth, and Mayar Wol was a double-figure scorer and good outside shooter at Bowling Green, so are we once again overlooking the Pirates??

-Georgetown cannot seem to climb out of the basement. They did win a preseason exhibition game at Wake Forest by 17 PTS last weekend…but you can never read too much into that. Just one starter is back from a team that struggled last year and while they have some guys that may be able to step into bigger roles, I do not like them quite as much as most of the rest of the league.

-I believe it may finally be time for me to stop banging Butler’s drum. I have said that I like Thad Matta as a coach, and in years past I have commented on how I thought they were starting to add the right pieces, but you cannot argue with results…or in the case of Butler, the lack of results. They are picked to finish last, so new head coach Ronald Nored has his work cut out for him. Butler nearly won the national title twice when Nored was there as a player, but they are a long way away from that now. Treyson Anderson was a solid player at North Dakota State last year, and Christian Moore comes in from a Citadel team that really was a lot of fun to watch last season, but I just do not think that Butler has the pieces to compete with most of the rest of the league. Or, for that matter, any of the rest of the league.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Oklahoma JR F Derrion Reid

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

We are less than 4 weeks away from the tip-off of the new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Oklahoma JR F Derrion Reid, who talked about being a great shooter and his expectations for this season.

In the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game you scored 4 PTS for the West in a 2-PT loss to the East: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Dylan Harper/Tre Johnson/Derik Queen/other)? The whole group that has made it to the NBA is great: both the guys you mentioned as well as others like Ace Bailey/VJ Edgecombe. As far as who was the most impressive back then, I would say Dylan because he had a chip on his shoulder as he tried to become the #1 pick in the draft.

That summer you won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA U-18 AmeriCup: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot. We had a great group of guys including Darius Acuff Jr./Morez Johnson Jr. and a great coach in Tommy Lloyd who coached us hard. We had a lot of fun during training camp in Colorado and the trip to Argentina and we all became close.

You were born/raised in Georgia: what made you choose Alabama to start your college career? It came down to the wire between Alabama and Georgia: they both offered me good situations, but I ended up trusting the players/coaches at Alabama. It also helped that I had been a teammate of Aiden Sherrell at Prolific Prep: he was my roommate both there as well as in Tuscaloosa.

Why did you decide to transfer last year, and what made you choose Oklahoma? I just thought the Sooners would be a better situation for me. They had been recruiting me since high school, and when I hit the transfer portal they immediately got in touch and showed me a lot of love.

Last December you scored a career-high 22 PTS/9-12 FG in a win over Stetson: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were in the zone? Yes, but I also trusted the work that I put in. That night just happened to be my night: my teammates knew where to get me the ball, so I must give them the credit.

Last January you scored 16 PTS in a 2-PT loss to the Tide: was it just another game on your schedule or was it weird for you to face your former team? Let’s just say that it was circled on my schedule. I was not really talking/laughing before that game because I was locked in. I came down with cramps, and we ended up losing the lead, which still haunts me to this day a bit.

You had a huge increase in your FG%/3P%/FT% from your freshman season to your sophomore season: how were you able to improve so much in just 1 year? It came with hours in the gym and getting feedback from different coaches/scouts. It is about being consistent every day and becoming more comfortable in my role, which is why my numbers have jumped.

You have played 12 postseason games during your 1st 2 years and won 8 of them: what is the key to winning games in March? It is a race to see who can remain together. You can have a 20-PT lead and then lose it in the blink of an eye, so you must stay together when things are not going your way.

Your mother Marie played basketball at Memphis/South Carolina State, and your aunt Natasha played basketball at Mississippi State: who is the best athlete in the family? I am the best. They would obviously say themselves…but until I see footage of them, it is me!

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? To win and make everyone around me better: I want to make it to March and then win in March. I will help my team in whatever way they need me to so that we can go on a run.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Iowa State SR G Arianna Jackson

Posted on October 2, 2026 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for All of our Preseason Coverage, Including Interviews, Podcasts, and Conference Previews

We are less than 5 weeks away from the tip-off of the new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Iowa State SR G Arianna Jackson, who talked about being a great 3-PT shooter and her expectations for this season.

In high school you were a 3-time track and field state qualifier in 4 events (high jump/800-meter dash/4×400-meter relay/4×800-meter relay) and a 3-time state qualifier in cross country: how much of an advantage is your athleticism on the basketball court? It has helped me a lot. I started a summer track program when I was 4 years old, and my parents eventually became track coaches, so they originally thought that I would become a track athlete. It taught me to keep pushing myself when I am tired: that toughness/grit translates very well to the basketball court.

Your father Hez/brother Kendell played football at Iowa State, and your mom Cory went there for college: was it an easy decision to follow in their footsteps? It was always at the back of my mind: growing up I was a Cyclones fan and we would all go to football games. My dad played football for Dan McCarney, and I had a long conversation with Coach before I committed. I also talked to my older brother and realized that it was the right place for me.

You started 24 games as a freshman after senior captain Emily Ryan injured her leg: how much pressure was there on you to come in and contribute right from the start? We had a big freshman class, and I was trying to learn how to play PG for Coach Bill Fennelly, so it came with a lot of growing pains. He will push me to be my best but I understand it comes from a place of love, which is why our relationship has grown.

1 of the games that you came off the bench for was a 9-PT loss to Iowa: where does Caitlin Clark (35 PTS/9 REB/5 AST) rank among the greatest players that you have ever faced? She is up there: I also played against her in high school. I have faced several great players in Olivia Miles/Paige Bueckers/Azzi Fudd, all of whom have gone onto the WNBA. They will be good stories to tell 1 day, and they all challenged me to improve.

You graduated in the top 2% of your high school class, and you were named 2026 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I take school very seriously. I am a perfectionist, so I do not like getting any B’s. Basketball takes up a lot of free time, so I use the resources available to me (like tutors) and take pride in my academics.

61 of your 63 FGM last year came from behind the arc, and your 43.9 3P% was top-10 in the nation: what is the key to making threes, and do your teammates freak out when they see you attempting a shot from inside the arc? A little bit! The AAU team I played for emphasized 3-PT shooting, so I have done that since I was a young player. I take a lot of reps so that when I get the ball it is like 2nd nature to shoot it.

You have played 5 NCAA tourney games over the past 3 years with each 1 decided by single digits: what is the secret to success in March when the games go down to the wire? A lot of it is about staying calm because that is what you have worked for all season long. The moment can feel very big and there can be a lot of drama, but focusing on the little things can make a big difference and turn the game around very quickly.

The Cyclones lost most of their team to the transfer portal last March: why did you decide to return for your senior season? It was never a question for me whether to come back: this is like a 2nd home for me, and I did not think I could find that support anywhere else. I am excited to step into more of a leadership role this year as we give it everything we got.

Most fans think that college athletes use their NIL money to buy themselves expensive things: why did you decide to use some of your NIL deals to help raise money for your high school? Part of it is the way I was raised: my parents always gave back rather than putting themselves 1st. When you have the resources to do that, it is important. My high school helped shape me into the person I am today, which is why I wanted to give back.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My goal is to become a leader who my teammates can count on. I want to make all the little plays and bring the crowd into the game more and help everyone around me grow. As a team we want to compete in the Big 12 and reach the postseason, so if we put in the work then I think we will surprise some people.

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