University of Minnesota Athletics
Kiara Buford Feature Story
1/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore Kiara Buford has earned a spot in the starting lineup in her second year with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Buford has not only filled this role well; she has led the Gophers in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game as of January 10.
"I think I'm just smarter [than last year]," Buford said. "I have more experience as a player. I've been working on my leadership a little bit, and just coming out and trying to give it all I've got every night."
Buford has gained many fans with her ability to shoot the three, drive to the basket, and pull down key rebounds, but her biggest fan has always been her mom, Tracy Buford.
"My mom grew up playing basketball too," Kiara said. "My mom and I are really close, and we can talk about almost anything. I get a lot of my basketball IQ from my mom, and I look up to her."
Tracy was Kiara's first basketball coach when Kiara was a second grader. Tracy was also her daughter's assistant coach from fifth grade to Kiara's junior year in high school.
"I was very fortunate to coach Kiara for so many years," Tracy said. "Being able to share basketball with Kiara has brought us very close. We were able to keep the mom and coach relationships separate, which is difficult, but it worked out well for us."
While most basketball parents only get to see their children play in games, Tracy got to watch her daughter practice every day. She was able to see Kiara during half-times and time-outs. Tracy was able to watch Kiara develop as a basketball player, a leader, and young woman in a way many parents rarely get the privilege to see. It soon became apparent to Tracy that Kiara's athletic ability could take her far.
"I think it was about in seventh grade when I realized the extensive skill set she had. I always felt she had a lot of natural talent, but when I began to see her knowledge of the game, work ethic, competitiveness and genuine passion for the game, I knew she could take it as far as she wanted."
Kiara took that skill set to St. Paul Central High School. There Kiara was a three-time all-state honoree, and she led St. Paul Central to back-to-back class 4A state championships in 2007 and 2008. Then she followed in her mother's steps into the world of collegiate basketball. Tracy Buford played basketball for Grandview College in Iowa. Kiara chose the University of Minnesota, and a big reason behind that choice was being close to her family.
"My family, my grandparents, and my aunt have watched me play since I was in second grade, and they've come to all my games, so being able to play in front of my family was a big thing," Kiara said.
"I am so thankful Kiara chose to go to the U of M," Tracy said. "After she left for school, which was only 10 minutes away, I realized how difficult it would have been for me not to see her. I felt bad for the moms I knew that were dealing with their daughters being so far from home. We are a basketball family. My parents and my sister come to every game, which is something that would not have happened if she had gone anywhere else. The fact that we can see her play is priceless. Being able to pick her up on my way home from work, on a whim, on a weekday, I feel very fortunate."
Kiara and Tracy talk every day, and Kiara tries to make it home at least twice a week.
"We talk a lot. When I go home we talk for hours, and time flies by," Kiara said. And what does Kiara miss most about living at home? "Probably her cooking for me and just taking care of me. It's different living by yourself."
It's obvious that Tracy is very proud of her oldest daughter.
"Kiara is compassionate, genuine, determined and strong. Kiara is that best friend you can confide in without feeling judged," she said. "She has always been a leader, true to herself, paving her own way. When she is focused on a goal nothing is going to stop her from getting there. Kiara is very knowledgeable about her identity, the many different backgrounds and cultures that make up who she is, and she understands how those pieces fit into her surroundings. Last but not least, she shares her love with her family. She can have a million things going on, but she will do everything she can to be with her family. God has blessed us greatly!"
The bond between mother and daughter is a special one. So are the bonds between player and coach and best friends. Kiara Buford is lucky enough to have all three of those relationships with one person, her biggest fan, her greatest supporter, her mom.
Article by Alli Johnson
