BYU women’s basketball makes first appearance at Big 12 media day
BYU women’s basketball head coach Amber Whiting is excited to be “competing against the best of the best” as she leads the Cougars into the Big 12.
Whiting, representing BYU at the Big 12 women’s basketball tipoff in Kansas City, said her first year as a collegiate-level coach was like “drinking from a fire hose”. Now, she is learning to “stay in the moment and tune out all the rest”.
Whiting was a “one-woman-show” as a high school level coach. Now, she raves about the help she has from her “phenomenal assistant coaches” at the college level. This season, she is relying on delegation. She trusts her coaches to take on other duties so she can focus on what matters most.
When Whiting was asked about her mother-daughter dynamic with Amari Whiting being on the team this year, she said there are “highs and lows” like any other relationship. However, they have learned to compartmentalize these relationships on and off the court. Amber and Amari have a shared understanding that Amari does not refer to Amber as a mom during basketball. This allows the Whitings to separate these two very different relationships.
Having a daughter on the team can create some unwanted stereotypes and speculation. Amber said that she probably is the hardest on Amari, so there aren’t any accusations that she favors her. Amari moved out to have the “freshman experience,” and Amber is mindful to not involve Amari with any conversations “about recruiting or anything like that.”
Whiting is excited about her team this year, especially freshman Kailey Woolston, who she called a “sniper.” Woolston has proven her phenomenal shooting skills over and over again during the preseason.
The face of the program and “rebound queen” Lauren Gustin averaged 16 rebounds per game last year. She is ready to dominate again this season. Her number one goal is to “leave it all on the court, everything.”
Gustin’s advice to freshmen is to “enjoy every single second of everything.” She is doing that as she heads into her final season. She has worked hard these last years, breaking BYU’s single-season rebound record last year. Gustin now has the potential to break the all-time program record this season.
The Cougars play their first exhibition game against Westminister at the Marriot Center on Nov. 1 at 3:00 PM MDT.
