In an era of freshman stars in the world of college basketball, it is sometimes hard to differentiate a flash in the pan with an individual who is made to last.
The women’s basketball team, no matter what the results are in the current moment, have a bright light for the future at the shooting guard position.
Through her efforts as a player, teammate and leader, Kamiyah Street has certainly made her mark on the team around her as well as opposing teams who must face her.
As important as Street’s scoring is to the success of the team, her ability to facilitate scoring from others as well as transition the game from defense to offense has made her one of the most well-rounded players in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Street won her third consecutive ASUN Conference Freshman of the Week honor and her fifth overall for the season. She has averaged 16.5 points per game so far this season, leading her team in the category, as well as leading the ASUN Conference in steals with 46.
The steals signify her desire to gain possession for the team, but it also allows her to spread the ball, as she is second on her team with 49 assists.
“I try to get them to follow my play or put bugs in their ear here and there,” Street said. “But I also listen because the point guard is a senior and she knows a lot, and that’s where I want to go.”
As a freshman, Street has shown both a fearlessness in assuming a leadership role while also maintaining an open mind for advice from elders in the team. Part of her versatility comes from her experiences with teammates in different positions and levels of experience.
Assistant coach Sherill Baker has watched Street’s progress this season and is impressed with her work ethic and desire. The goal-oriented mindset that is put forth by the team’s coaching staff blends well with Street’s own beliefs.
“One thing our coaching staff would like to do with Kamiyah, as well as our other players, is set a goal for practices and for games,” Baker said. “Her future is so bright, and if she continues to work on both ends of the court, the accolades…go a long, long way.”
From a positional standpoint, Street plays a number of roles despite being the scoring leader. Aside from scoring more than 20 points in multiple games this season, she has more recently been increasing her assist rate. In doing so, she allows the team as a whole to have multiple scoring looks.
She also is a steal specialist and a sneaky defender which, though unconventional for her position, is a unique aspect of her game.
“Although my role is to score, I still have to come up with rebounds as a guard, steals and get other people involved in the game,” Street said. “I play my role, but I know there’s more that the team needs from me.”
As for goals, Street has some high hopes in mind. Along with wanting to be ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year, she seeks to be first team all-Freshman in the conference. Eventually, she wants the team to win the ASUN Conference Championship.
