University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshmen Take on Bigger Role as February Captains
2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
During their freshman season at Minnesota Taiye Bello, Jasmine Brunson and Gadiva Hubbard have found their groove, and their way into the starting lineup. Bello and Brunson have started the past six games, and Hubbard regularly started before bouts with injury and illness.
After forging their way through a tough non-conference schedule and grueling Big Ten matchups, all three agree to have found a renewed sense of confidence. Their head coach has noticed.
"I think it's a combination of factors allowing them to have a voice allows them to spearhead, and they've logged enough minutes at this point to where they feel more comfortable," Marlene Stollings said.
For the past month, Stollings has implemented a new role for the team's four rookies, Brunson, Hubbard and Taiye and Kehinde Bello. She named them "February captains" of the Gophers.
"Because they are contributing so much to our team we wanted them to be in a role where they could learn leadership by doing," Stollings said. "They spent several months listening to other people and we want them to now be in that role and feel what it's like and our entire team received that nicely. They have specific roles and duties they are carrying out as February captains. I think it's helped them to have more of a voice and really stay locked into performing."
The four freshmen are expected to take turns offering commendations and suggestions to their teammates after practices. On the court, it's evident that these young Gophers have also been applying the advice others have given them.
Taiye Bello has started 10 of the 23 games she has played this season. She leads all freshmen with 109 rebounds on the year. Of late, she's started the past six games for the Gophers contributing an aggressive personality under the basket.
"I'm happy to be able to do the little things for my team," she said. "I focus on the little things my team needs whether it's rebounding, box outs, hustle plays, et cetera…I focus on staying in the moment and doing my best in that moment."
At Penn State last week, Bello set a career high with 19 points and contributed eight rebounds. Bello and the Gophers don't have any plans to slow down anytime soon.
"If I do something good I focus on what I can do now or improve," she said.
Hailing from Queens, Jasmine Brunson brings what she describes as a "New York swag," a fearless and confident mentality that helps her play on the big stage of the Big Ten. Brunson has been featured in all 27 of the Gophers games this season, and she has started 10.
Recently, Brunson scored seven important second-half points in a win against Northwestern. Both times she has scored double-figure points the Gophers recorded a win and found rising confidence in their freshman talent.
"It's a combination of being comfortable now and getting into my groove," Brunson said. "I also have more confidence and know what to expect."
Additionally, the close relationship with her brother, Malcolm, gives her some motivation on and off the court.
"I definitely play for my brother," she said. "I talk to my brother literally almost every day."
Gadiva Hubbard has faced a series of health setbacks but she's proven to rebound quickly, logging 25-plus minutes in each game after returning to the Gophers' lineup. In December and January, Hubbard sat out five games with mono. After starting four straight she sat out another two games with a broken nose.
"I think it's hard for any athlete to sit down and watch the sport they love to play," Hubbard said. "I like cheering for my teammates and getting them excited for the game. It's still fun."
Over the course of the season, Hubbard has started 12 games and played in 20 games for the Gophers. She also currently has logged 635 minutes, third-most behind Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell, and is averaging 12.4 points and 31.8 minutes per game. The Gophers are 8-3 when Hubbard scores in double figures.
"I feel that I've grown and I see all the freshmen grow," she said. "All of the newcomers are gelling together and it's starting to show."
The Gopher freshmen and their teammates will return to the court Thursday, Feb. 23 against Purdue with tipoff set for 8 p.m. at Williams Arena.
