University of Minnesota Athletics
Kaposi Brings Renewed Confidence into Junior Season
11/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Anytime Gophers fans heard Palma Kaposi's name over the public address system last season, it was after she checked into the game as a substitute. Early in her second season at Minnesota, Kaposi's name has been roared over the PA multiple times as she ran between smoke machines as part of the starting lineup.
The season-opening win against Lehigh was Kaposi's first career start after she came off the bench in 15 games last year. She heard her name called before tipoff in the Gophers' first three games this November.
"It's a great feeling," Kaposi said. "I feel really honored that I could start a game and we could set the pace from the jump. It's really important to start a game strong. We punch first. I try to do my best in the beginning of the game to start strong. …I really felt good about starting games. I feel that starters have a bigger responsibility. You have to be really locked in."
Kaposi has always tried to bring energy into the game, whether or not she starts. As an occasional sub last year, she was not afraid to crash the boards and get in the paint. She carries that mentality into games she starts as well.
"When I get out there the first thing I think about is to play really strong and play through everything, to get all the rebounds, to box out and get the defensive and offensive rebounds, and play great defense," Kaposi said. "I want to be strong on defense and turn it into the offensive side."
Whether or not Kaposi starts any given game, she still looks and feels like an improved player. Her adjustment to the United States and Big Ten-level basketball are farther along in Year 2.
"Last year I was able to see the whole process and get used to it," Kaposi said. "I learned a lot of things that now I can use and I can actually play. Based on what I learned last year I think I'm more mature. When I go out there, I feel more confident, and I try to turn that confidence into good things to help my team win."
Kaposi had help from more experienced teammates last year. In turn, she is trying to help the Gophers' newcomers-especially fellow international students Paloma Gonzalez and Irene Garrido Perez-with their own acclimation to the University of Minnesota.
Kaposi has continued making changes to her game. During the summer she focused on fundamentals and footwork to cut down on turnovers. As the Gophers typically play a four-guard lineup, Kaposi said she has been working on playing more like a guard.
"That's a big turnaround," she said. "If you've been playing more like a post all the years you've played, it's not easy to change."
Even before the collegiate season started, Kaposi found some validation for her hard work. She traveled to Taipei to represent Hungary at the World University Games, and put up some big numbers. Kaposi averaged 17.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game over the course of six contests, including one game with 23 points, 22 rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block without a turnover.
"To be a leader on that team was really good to bump up my confidence level, and good preparation for the season," she said. "I was able to find my rhythm again, and I fixed the things I had to work on during the break. So when I came back I was able to go out stronger and more focused on the little things that I fixed during the summer. I think it was really a great opportunity for me to increase my personal ability to play better and to help the team to finish better than last year."
Story by assistant director of athletic communications Justine Buerkle
