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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Introducing... Bailey Helgren
7/14/2021 9:26:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota women's basketball welcomes four newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season. GopherSports.com is sitting down with each of them to get to know them better as they prepare for their first season in the Maroon and Gold.
Up next, it's Bailey Helgren, a 6'5 graduate transfer from the University of Kansas. In her four seasons of competition with the Jayhawks, the Edina, Minn., native played in 95 games with 72 starts and averaged 2.6 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 53.6 percent from the floor in 21.1 minutes of action. In the classroom, she was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and a member of the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team for the 2017-18 season.
GopherSports.com: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
Bailey Helgren:Â "I started playing basketball in first grade, I think, and for me it was always in my family. Both of my parents played basketball in college, and I have two brothers, so it was always something that we did together for fun. And then growing up I recognized my passion for it, and I wanted to keep learning and getting better."
GS: What was your recruiting process like coming out of high school?
BH: "Out of high school, at first I think it was overwhelming because I just didn't know what to expect when you're 16 years old. But with the help of my family I found a spot where I was comfortable and grew a lot as a basketball player and as a person. But now I'm super happy to be back home. But yeah, I'd say the recruiting process was learning a lot and then deciding what would be best for you with numerous factors."
GS: Did you look at Minnesota at all coming out of high school?
Off the Court with Bailey
Up next, it's Bailey Helgren, a 6'5 graduate transfer from the University of Kansas. In her four seasons of competition with the Jayhawks, the Edina, Minn., native played in 95 games with 72 starts and averaged 2.6 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 53.6 percent from the floor in 21.1 minutes of action. In the classroom, she was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and a member of the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team for the 2017-18 season.
GopherSports.com: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
Bailey Helgren:Â "I started playing basketball in first grade, I think, and for me it was always in my family. Both of my parents played basketball in college, and I have two brothers, so it was always something that we did together for fun. And then growing up I recognized my passion for it, and I wanted to keep learning and getting better."
GS: What was your recruiting process like coming out of high school?
BH: "Out of high school, at first I think it was overwhelming because I just didn't know what to expect when you're 16 years old. But with the help of my family I found a spot where I was comfortable and grew a lot as a basketball player and as a person. But now I'm super happy to be back home. But yeah, I'd say the recruiting process was learning a lot and then deciding what would be best for you with numerous factors."
GS: Did you look at Minnesota at all coming out of high school?
BH:Â "Yeah, I did look at Minnesota out of high school, but at that time I didn't think it was the best fit for me."
GS: What was the process like once you decided to transfer? How was it different from your high school recruiting?
BH:Â "I would say that at this point I've experienced college basketball and all the aspects that come with it, so I think for me I was much more educated and knowledgeable about what I wanted. This was my last year, too, so it was something I spent a lot of time on, but overall the process was a lot easier for me now than it was in high school because I had done it before so it wasn't super overwhelming or chaotic. I was confident that I knew what I wanted, so I was going to work to find that best fit for my last year."
GS:Â What made you decide on Minnesota for that last year?
BH:Â "I would say the biggest thing is the coaching staff and Coach Whalen. I immediately felt like I connected with them, like I knew them before. I think their vision and their foundation and standards that they hold the team and people within the program to is something that aligned with what I was looking for. I'm just really looking forward to growing the program this year and keep improving on the foundation that they've set and continued to instill in the players."
GS:Â Being a Minnesota native, did you go to Gophers games or camps growing up?
BH:Â "Oh yeah. It's kind of surreal being here now, but as a kid I was actually a Court Kid for Coach Whalen's games. I've always been a Gopher fan, been on campus, been to games, so it's kind of full circle that I'm back here now. I'm super excited about it."
GS:Â Given that history you have, what does it mean to you to wear the Maroon and Gold?
BH:Â "It's huge. I think it adds a whole different dynamic for me, just knowing that this is where I'm from and grew up, and my family is just down the street. It's really fun to know that my people are here, and that I can represent the university and my home state. I'm really looking forward to that."
GS:Â For people who haven't seen you play, how would you describe your game?
BH:Â "I would say that my defense is a huge part of my skillset in terms of protecting the basket, altering shots and rebounding. But I can also finish inside and run well. In terms of being a teammate, I think I'm naturally a good communicator and leader, too, within a program.
GS:Â What have been your initial impressions of your new teammates through summer workouts?
BH:Â "The first thing I noticed was the energy. The energy at practices has created an environment that's really fun and also an environment where we can push each other to be better and just grow as a unit. That's something we're really focused on, making progress every day. I would just say fun, energetic, and I've felt like my transition here has been very smooth and that's a credit to the girls and the coaches because they've made me feel super comfortable and helped the other newcomers fit right in."
GS:Â Have there been any certain teammates that have helped you navigate your way so far?
BH: "My two roommates are Kayla Mershon and Laura Bagwell Katalinich, so both of them have been super helpful just in getting my acclimated. But all of the girls have been great in terms of answering questions, where to go, who to contact, little things like that, and overall just hanging out outside of the court, too. Everyone is super nice and fun to be around."
GS:Â As a post player, you're working with new assistant coach Shimmy Gray-Miller. What have you noticed about her in your workouts?
BH:Â "She really brings a positive light to the program. She obviously has a lot of experience, so I'm really looking forward to learning from her as she's been in the Big Ten and knows the ins and outs. Her energy and experience is something that I think a lot of people gravitate toward.
GS:Â You're going to be wearing No. 35. Does that number hold any special significance for you?
BH:Â "Growing up, my parents both loved the number, and that's what I've worn for all my sports."
GS: What was the process like once you decided to transfer? How was it different from your high school recruiting?
BH:Â "I would say that at this point I've experienced college basketball and all the aspects that come with it, so I think for me I was much more educated and knowledgeable about what I wanted. This was my last year, too, so it was something I spent a lot of time on, but overall the process was a lot easier for me now than it was in high school because I had done it before so it wasn't super overwhelming or chaotic. I was confident that I knew what I wanted, so I was going to work to find that best fit for my last year."
GS:Â What made you decide on Minnesota for that last year?
BH:Â "I would say the biggest thing is the coaching staff and Coach Whalen. I immediately felt like I connected with them, like I knew them before. I think their vision and their foundation and standards that they hold the team and people within the program to is something that aligned with what I was looking for. I'm just really looking forward to growing the program this year and keep improving on the foundation that they've set and continued to instill in the players."
GS:Â Being a Minnesota native, did you go to Gophers games or camps growing up?
BH:Â "Oh yeah. It's kind of surreal being here now, but as a kid I was actually a Court Kid for Coach Whalen's games. I've always been a Gopher fan, been on campus, been to games, so it's kind of full circle that I'm back here now. I'm super excited about it."
GS:Â Given that history you have, what does it mean to you to wear the Maroon and Gold?
BH:Â "It's huge. I think it adds a whole different dynamic for me, just knowing that this is where I'm from and grew up, and my family is just down the street. It's really fun to know that my people are here, and that I can represent the university and my home state. I'm really looking forward to that."
GS:Â For people who haven't seen you play, how would you describe your game?
BH:Â "I would say that my defense is a huge part of my skillset in terms of protecting the basket, altering shots and rebounding. But I can also finish inside and run well. In terms of being a teammate, I think I'm naturally a good communicator and leader, too, within a program.
GS:Â What have been your initial impressions of your new teammates through summer workouts?
BH:Â "The first thing I noticed was the energy. The energy at practices has created an environment that's really fun and also an environment where we can push each other to be better and just grow as a unit. That's something we're really focused on, making progress every day. I would just say fun, energetic, and I've felt like my transition here has been very smooth and that's a credit to the girls and the coaches because they've made me feel super comfortable and helped the other newcomers fit right in."
GS:Â Have there been any certain teammates that have helped you navigate your way so far?
BH: "My two roommates are Kayla Mershon and Laura Bagwell Katalinich, so both of them have been super helpful just in getting my acclimated. But all of the girls have been great in terms of answering questions, where to go, who to contact, little things like that, and overall just hanging out outside of the court, too. Everyone is super nice and fun to be around."
GS:Â As a post player, you're working with new assistant coach Shimmy Gray-Miller. What have you noticed about her in your workouts?
BH:Â "She really brings a positive light to the program. She obviously has a lot of experience, so I'm really looking forward to learning from her as she's been in the Big Ten and knows the ins and outs. Her energy and experience is something that I think a lot of people gravitate toward.
GS:Â You're going to be wearing No. 35. Does that number hold any special significance for you?
BH:Â "Growing up, my parents both loved the number, and that's what I've worn for all my sports."
Off the Court with Bailey
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: New Girl
Favorite Social Media App: Instagram and TikTok
Favorite WNBA Player: Maya Moore and Liz Cambage
Favorite basketball moment of your career: Winning a Thanksgiving tournament while at Kansas
Favorite TV show: New Girl
Favorite Social Media App: Instagram and TikTok
Favorite WNBA Player: Maya Moore and Liz Cambage
Favorite basketball moment of your career: Winning a Thanksgiving tournament while at Kansas
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