Section B·Page 10
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, October 13. 1999
It's all part of the name for senior standout Pride
By Melinda Weaver
By Melinda Weaver
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Even Lynn Pride's name indicates greatness.
Some people have names that push them to success, and Pride's pushes her to play basketball with a determination and pride that is matched by few other players.
Not only does "Pride" stand on
on the back of Lynn's jersey, it
also describes a key element of her
game.
"I sat and thought about it, and there is no reason to go out and not show any pride in my game when I have it written on the back of my jeerse." Pride said.
Pride should be proud of her three seasons as a Jawhawk.
She appears in the Kansas record books three times, 10th in all-time scoring with 1, 252 points, 11th in career rebounding with 626 and sixth in career steals with 204.
Last season, Pride led the team in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounds (7.2 rpg), steals (2.7 ppg), blocks (0.7 pgs) and minutes per game (33.7).
This season, Pride will move into the role of senior leader.
"Coach hasn't told me exactly what my role is, but I know I have to be the leader," Pride said. "I have to lead verbally and say more to the other players. If I give 100 percent all of the time, I know my teammates will and vice versa."
To prepare herself for the season, Pride tried out for the 1999 USA Pan American Games Team and was one of two college players to be selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee.
Although she played a key role in the team's bronze medal performance, Pride said that she had not expected to play in many of the games.
She scored double figures in every game, averaging 13 points and seven rebounds per game.
Her best performance came in the 92-80 win against the Dominican Republic, when she led the team with 20 points and 11 rebounds. She also led the team in scoring in a loss to Cuba with 15.
"I was surprised at how well I played, because I expected to be on the bench," Pride said. "The team consisted of older players who had a lot more experience than me. Coach (Nell) Fortner just told me to go out and play my game, and that's what I did."
Pride said her summer competition helped her work on her game and improve for the upcoming season.
"I'm ready to take my game to another level," Pride said. "I plan to do things that aren't expected from me. I'm physically stronger, and I have improved my overall game."
Pride will be expected to make a large impact as the Jayhawks transfer to a new offense, the
"Coach hasn't told me exactly what my role is, but I know I have to be the leader."
Lynn Pride
Women's basketball player
triple-post offense, which the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship teams used.
The offense will allow more options and creativity for Coach Marian Washington's versatile players.
"Lynn can do everything," Washington said. "We can play her at every position from one (point guard) to four (power forward). She's not just out shooting the ball, but she can defend well, too. She's a great passer, and her athletic performance is sometimes just so incredible. Last season, I watched her jump into the air and pin the ball against the backboard. Not many women can do that."
This season, Pride leads a team that expects to do well in the Big 12 Conference and make a good showing in the NCAA tournament.
"We have not set our goals yet, but they are very high." Pride said. "This team is very motivated, and we want a lot for ourselves. We can beat a lot of good teams."
Edited by Jamie Knodel
Kansas Guard Lynn Pride drives through the lane to lay in a basket for the Jayhawks in last season's game against the Nebraska Corn-huskers. Pride led the Jayhawks in scoring, rebounds, steals, blocks and minutes played per game last season.
Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KAN SAN
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