Bigger than basketball: How BYU's Marya Hudgins found her faith, built her foundation
When Marya Hudgins transferred to BYU from Santa Clara last summer, she thought she was simply joining a new basketball program.
What she didn’t realize was that she was stepping into an environment that would change her life in ways she never expected.
Raised in a religious home but with no prior connection to BYU or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hudgins initially saw her transfer as just a fresh start on the court.
But as she built relationships with her teammates, she found herself drawn to something deeper. A simple invitation to attend church sparked a journey of faith — one that ultimately led her to baptism and a newfound sense of purpose.
The right place
When Hudgins first entered the transfer portal she had no idea what her next move would be. While at home with her family, Hudgins’ mom suggested BYU but Marya didn’t think that was the right fit for her. Later that night, she checked her email to see what schools had reached out and the very first message she got was from BYU.
“I set up all my visits," Hudgins said. “I had BYU first because I had a feeling, and then once I was here, I was like, yeah I'm done, I'm committing. What the coaches are building here, and the family aspect and the culture was what I was looking for because I didn't have that at Santa Clara.”
Hudgins was also familiar with a couple of current Cougars. Hudgins played club basketball when she was younger with Emma Calvert and Kailey Woolston, who is currently serving a mission in Baltimore, Maryland.
A minor setback
In November, Hudgins suffered an injury that has sidelined her for most of this season. When healthy, she has made her impact felt while on the court. Playing in just over 21 minutes of action, Hudgins averaged 4.6 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from three.
In December, some of Hudgins’ friends and teammates invited her to come to church with them. She had declined their previous invitations to go but Hudgins decided to accept their invitation and attend church with them.
“There was one day I was like, why do I feel like I need to say yes? I said, yes, and I went,” Hudgins said. “Then the following week, one of our practice players gave me a Book of Mormon randomly. He was like, 'I just felt like I need to give this to you.'”
Hudgins accepted The Book of Mormon but didn’t dive into it just yet.
“I didn't do anything with it for like, three, four days,” said Hudgins. “Then one night, I just was like, ‘Why do I feel like I need to go open it and read it?' From there, I kept going to church.’”
Hudgins first attended church with her teammate Amari Whiting and her family. She felt nervous and out of place at first but the support her teammates and friends showed her helped her become comfortable.
“I think they were able to see the difference it was making in my life, because they knew I had a really rough two years at Santa Clara,” said Hudgins. “So they were able to see the total flip in my mindset, my personality, and just like my overall aura.”
A journey of faith
Meeting with the missionaries felt like a big step, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to take. She wanted everything to feel right before making that kind of commitment.
To help ease her concerns, she turned to her teammate and friend, Arielle Mackey-Williams, a recent convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hearing Mackey-Williams' experience gave Hudgins the clarity she had been searching for.
“I kept holding off on the missionaries, because I knew once I talked with them, they were gonna be like, ‘You're ready to get baptized,’” Hudgins said.
But eventually, she knew it was time.
When she finally met with the missionaries, Hudgins embraced the lessons with an open heart. Her religious upbringing had already given her a foundation in faith, but learning about the restored gospel helped her deepen her understanding of a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She read The Book of Mormon, watched videos to enhance her comprehension, and spent time in thoughtful prayer.
Finding peace in the perfect timing
People often say that things happen for a reason. For Hudgins, that sentiment became a reality. Transferring to BYU had been a leap of faith in itself, but she hadn’t realized just how much she was searching for something more.
It wasn’t until injury sidelined her early in the season that she truly had time to reflect. Surrounded by supportive teammates and friends, she found herself on a path she hadn’t expected, but one that felt undeniably right.
“I prayed about it a ton, and then through time, I felt more at peace with it,” Hudgins said. “In my heart, I was like, ‘This is what is right. I need to act on it.’ I had the feeling, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing it.’”
Her decision to be baptized didn’t come easily. It was the result of personal trials, moments of doubt, and the kind of soul-searching that only comes through adversity. She had transferred schools, battled injuries, and faced emotional challenges — but in the midst of it all, she found her answer.
“I was so sad and heartbroken when I first came here, and was able to kind of dig myself out on my own,” Hudgins said.
But ultimately, she realized she hadn’t been alone at all.
“I think it's just a testament of, like, I can't get through it on my own.”
A new beginning
On a Sunday afternoon, surrounded by friends, family, and teammates, Marya Hudgins took a life-changing step of faith. Following the example of Jesus Christ, she entered the waters of baptism, a moment that symbolized her commitment to drawing closer to God during one of the most challenging seasons of her life.
Coach Lee Cummard performed the baptism, while Trent Whiting, the husband of BYU women’s basketball head coach Amber Whiting, confirmed her as a member of the Church.
Hudgins then shared a powerful testimony, reflecting on the journey that had brought her to this point — one filled with struggles, questions, and ultimately, profound faith.
As the gathering closed with the hymn "How Firm a Foundation," it felt as though a chapter in Hudgins' spiritual journey had come full circle. Through the support of her teammates and friends, she had strengthened her foundation in God. She had endured dark moments when she felt alone, praying for guidance and strength to overcome her trials. Now, standing among those who had supported her, she knew this experience was proof that those prayers had been answered.
“I wish I could relive that day every day,” Hudgins said, smiling. “I was so happy. I was really anxious leading up to it — what if something went wrong? But Lee was such a good help in making me feel better. It was just such a good feeling.”
Though she knows she is still the same person, Hudgins feels an undeniable change within herself — a renewed sense of joy, strength and purpose.
Hudgins' journey to baptism wasn’t an easy one — it was shaped by personal trials, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. But in overcoming those challenges, she found something deeper: peace, purpose, and a new sense of belonging.
Her baptism, surrounded by the people who had supported her every step of the way, marked the culmination of that journey — but also the beginning of something new.
“I have a bit more of a spark and happiness to me,” Hudgins said. “Going through all of those trials and lows made me so much more appreciative of the highs. Now that I’m baptized, it doesn’t mean I’ll never have a low again, but I have something to rely on. That’s something I’ve never really experienced before, and it’s amazing.”
For Hudgins, faith has become her foundation. And just like in basketball, she knows that with the right team behind her, she’s never alone.