By Ashlea Hellmann
Junior forward Angel McCoughtry’s play on the court has gained her national recognition, and now she is doing everything in her power to make sure her team gains the same attention.
McCoughtry wishes people could see that the women’s basketball games “are fun too.” If she had things her way, she would broadcast the team as much as possible and put them all over ESPN.
“I would put pictures up all over campus to get people to come to the games,” McCoughtry said.
A Kodak All-American and Big East Pre-season Player of the Year, McCoughtry led the Big East last season in points, rebounding and steals. Over the summer, she helped the United States earn their first gold medal in the Pan Am Games since 1987. McCoughtry shone during the tournament, as she led the U.S. in scoring with 12.6 points and finishing second in rebounding with 5.6 rebounds per game.
Yet, there is a different side to McCoughtry that most don’t get the chance to see. According to McCoughtry, her teammates would probably refer to her as “goofy, funny, absent-minded and like a big sister.”
McCoughtry couldn’t agree more.
“I’m always cracking jokes,” she said.
Yet McCoughtry admits she isn’t quite as outgoing as she would like people to think.
“I’m shy when I am meeting new people,” McCoughtry said.
She’s not letting that hinder her college experience though.
In addition to her basketball talents, her personality is also something big to all those that know her. McCoughtry can often be seen cheering at other sporting events supporting friends of hers.
“I’m not a big sports fan but I like to support my friends,” McCoughtry said. “Plus, it’s college, I’m going to enjoy it while I’m here.”
McCoughtry knows a thing or two about making the most of her college experience, especially on the court. Besides spending her summer playing in the Pan Am Games, McCoughtry was recently named to the watch list for the Wooden Award list, given annually to the nation’s top woman collegiate player.
McCoughtry may be used to the spotlight, but she’s not letting it go to her head.
“It always feels good, but I try not to dwell on it,” McCoughtry said.
Being the center of such hype has made McCoughtry feel like she “has a target on her back.” Yet McCoughtry claims that she is alright with that because the rest of her team is stepping up and making it hard for other teams to play them.
“I just want to be a better player by helping everyone around me get better,” McCoughtry said.
McCoughtry says she wishes everyone would take less notice of her, and more notice of her team.
“It hurts my feelings when we go somewhere and everyone knows the guys, even the ones that don’t play, and they only know me and the rest of my team is just standing there,” McCoughtry said. “I want everyone to get to know the rest of my team.”
Despite her generosity, McCoughtry may have trouble keeping out of the spotlight as she kicks off what most are expecting to be a phenomenal junior season. McCoughtry hopes she won’t let fans down and she has two plans on how to get the job done.
McCoughtry said she will continue to look up to her idols, Erlana Larkins from North Carolina University, and Dawn Stanley, the USA’s Pan Am Games coach.
“I’m trying to get to their positions,” McCoughtry said.
McCoughtry will also stick to tradition when she gets ready to step on the court.
“I always take a bath before games, listen to my music and pray,” McCoughtry said. “My faith is very important. God has blessed me so far.”
While she has been blessed so far, McCoughtry hopes that, with the support of Cardinal fans behind them, the team will reach their goals this year, and hopefully everyone will know their names.
