LSU WBB's freshman class learns, adjusts ahead of year one

The No. 1 class in the country wasted no time getting to LSU and getting to work. Wing Mikaylah Williams, forward Aalyah Del Rosario, point guard Angelica Velez, and wing Janae Kent all provide something to LSU’s roster that it could use in its title defense this coming season.

The workouts were intense, often held by assistant coach Gary Redus, and the result was not only a development in talent, but a chance to see the competitive nature of one another. One-on-one games featured jawing back and forth, shooting drills became contests to see who could win, and at the end of every day, the group left even closer.

A talented group of freshman only raises the ceiling for that head coach Kim Mulkey’s team is capable of this season, and now with the season less than one month away, the honeymoon period is over. 

Every day Mulkey is on them to be better, they are going against All-American and/or reigning national champs every time they step on the court. There will always be learning, but everything is heightened when you’re the No. 1 team in the country and start the season with a top 20 matchup in Las Vegas against a Sweet 16 team in Colorado. 

Here’s what the freshmen had to say at media day last week.

How valuable were the summer workouts?

Angelica Velez: “It did a lot for us to spend time with each other this summer. We grew on and off the court. We knew this is a big stage to come on and as freshmen they’re going to be expecting a lot from us as the No. 1 recruiting class, but we just took the time this summer to work and build a bond and friendship and now we’re really close. It’s something really special.”

Janae Kent: “I love the girls and we all push each other on and off the court, so it’s a great group of freshmen. The summertime made us all really close, let us learn each other’s game.”

What have the first few weeks been like?

Mikaylah Williams: “I just need to be an open book and learn from the best like Hailey and Angel. Just being everything this team needs, whether that’s rebounding, playing defense, just finding little things I need to do to stay on the floor. Being here, the mental aspect of the game has grown a lot and then the conditioning has improved as well.”

Angelica Velez: “Coach Mulkey makes sure that we’re going 110 percent every possession and as a point guard you have to take it possession by possession. I have to lead. I have to know where we’re at.

Aalyah Del Rosario: “It has been rough. I was able to put extra work in over the summer and practice twice a week. At the end of the day it’s going to make me better and make the team better.”

Janae Kent: “Practices are hard and super competitive. Workouts are competitive, so the energy is always really high… We’ve been really getting after it and as a team we see how much talent we have and how far we can go this year, so we’ve been working and just trying to get better.”

How much have you learned from your older teammates?

Angelica Velez: “I’ve learned so much from them. Their work ethic is insane. I love basketball, so I’ve always been the type of player that feels like I work hard, but whenever I’m in the gym , they’re there. Whenever I come, they know how to work. Something I learned from them is to go the extra mile. If we’re running, Flau’jae says go to the wall or do an extra rep. She has a different type of mindset and it’s a blessing to learn from her.”

Janae Kent: “They have the experience and so learning from the other guards is just seeing where I can get better at and what they do to score and put that into my own game.”

Aalyah Del Rosario: “Going against them is going to make me better. I’ve learned a lot. Being able to play against Angel and playing for coach Starkey has been really good for me, just learning about the mentality of the post players.”

What has it been like playing for Kim Mulkey?

Mikaylah Williams: “A lot of people want to play for coach Mulkey. She’s done this before. She can teach the game and knows what it takes to get to the next level. On my visits I saw it all so I came here ready. She’s the same everywhere and that’s what I love about her. She doesn’t change, so I came here looking forward to it.”

Janae Kent: “She’s very fiery and going to get after it but that’s why I came here. Practices are hard and super competitive. Workouts are competitive, so the energy is always really high.”

What’s been the main focus so far for you individually?

Mikaylah Williams: “The mental aspect, just growing my mental side of the game and staying in shape with conditioning. That’s the biggest thing for me right now, so they’ve grown that and continued to grow my IQ as well.”

Angelica Velez: “The biggest development for me has been shooting. I’ve worked on my jump shot a lot so it can be more consistent, but I feel like taking on the role of a Kim Mulkey point guard. She demands a lot from the point guards and I have to know how to lead the team, know everyone’s position and it’s a lot. I’m excited for it and I take on the challenge every day.”

Aalyah Del Rosario: “I feel 100 percent back and now it’s just about getting in game shape. The pace is really different from high school, the game is faster, so it’s just getting in shape and that’s really going to help me.” 

Janae Kent: “I’ve made a lot of progress [with my shooting], especially over the summer I was working out with coach [Gary Redus] a lot and he’s helped me with my footwork into each shot and just getting reps.”