It’s positively onerous. Everybody comes from numerous backgrounds and has completely different lives exterior of the staff. I didn’t have sisters rising up, so my freshman yr in school was my first time being round many alternative girls with various personalities, backgrounds, and kinds. Initially it was robust for me to regulate to being round ladies every single day. Nevertheless, as I’ve taken on management roles and develop into a captain, I’ve discovered the way to join with every teammate personally. It’s truly fairly fulfilling now. We’ve one another’s backs, talk frequently, and supply unwavering assist. I really love them—these ladies can be in my life ceaselessly.
I’ve all the time admired embracing my femininity as a feminine participant, and naturally, I’ve confronted criticism for it at instances. Now, seeing you confidently embrace your genuine self and being celebrated, I really feel like a proud mentor. Inform me about your emotions on this house, particularly now that you’ve got a big highlight on you by way of balancing magnificence and basketball.
Folks typically count on me to consistently showcase basketball on my Instagram and suppose it’s my total life. They might assume that if I’m not posting about being within the fitness center, I’m not engaged on my recreation, or if I’m not sharing modeling photos, I’m not pursuing that. Balancing it may be robust. However my social media is my private house, a mirrored image of what brings me pleasure and what I need to share. It’s about what I like. I perceive that many individuals take note of my social media, and it may be difficult to embrace this duality absolutely.
I imply, you’ve all the time led the best way in embracing femininity within the league and in school as properly, and I need to proceed that legacy. You’ve proven you could be each girly and fiercely aggressive on the courtroom. Realizing that sturdy girls such as you and others earlier than us have paved the best way, I’m decided to hold that torch ahead.
What are your prime two or three magnificence suggestions or must-have merchandise?
I all the time have my lashes within the locker room, and in case they get knocked off, my lash glue and an edge management brush. I all the time have my edges achieved. So it’s all about edges, lip gloss, and lashes. That’s my go-to routine.
Now, let’s give a shout-out to LSU. How has your elevated fame impacted your campus life? It looks as if your degree of recognition has made it difficult to maneuver round freely.
LSU has been extremely supportive. Whereas I do take an in-person class as a result of I get pleasure from being on campus and seeing everybody, the remainder of my courses are on-line, which gives flexibility. Once I first joined LSU, I had round 70,000 followers, and now I’ve over 2 million. They really embrace you right here and transcend recognizing you as an athlete.
LSU has a program known as NIL LSU, which assists athletes in embracing the Title, Picture, and Likeness (NIL) idea and helps us construct our private manufacturers. Our coaches perceive that we’re not simply athletes on the courtroom however people with lives off the courtroom. They prioritize our success each on and off the courtroom. The LSU group has been exceptionally wonderful to me, and it’s why I’ve been affectionately named Bayou Barbie. Baton Rouge has been an unbelievable place for me.
What are your basketball targets for the upcoming yr and past?
That is my senior yr, and I’ve the chance to declare for the WNBA this yr if I select to. So my principal focus is being a constructive chief for my staff, particularly with new gamers becoming a member of us. I need to encourage and assist my teammates, particularly the freshmen and transfers who’re adapting to our system.
Our final purpose is to win one other nationwide championship, however personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA. Whereas I do have the choice for one more yr, I do need to get out of school, begin life exterior of faculty, and pursue my WNBA desires. It’s been a difficult however rewarding 4 years, and I’m excited to proceed bettering at LSU and past.
