The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Buzz: Sam Mitchell
9/20/2019 11:42:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM- The countdown begins to the 2019-20 women's basketball season as the first official practice is a little over a week away.
UAB has put together consecutive 25+ win seasons and is looking forward to a third this year. The Blazers will return 11 players from last year's squad, but there are four new faces that could help bring the Green and Gold back to the top of the Conference USA standings.
Over the next week fans will get the chance to learn about these new Blazers in a segment called Blazer Buzz. This week starts with freshman point guard, Sam Mitchell.
Mitchell comes to Birmingham from Downers Grove, Ill. where she played high school basketball at Montini Catholic alongside fellow Blazer Lea Kerstein. Mitchell helped lead Montini Catholic to the post season all four of her years and was a four-time All Area conference team honoree. In a two-year run Mitchell helped guide the Broncos to a 66-8 record and two State Championship appearances.
On the court Mitchell models her game off some of her favorite NBA and WNBA point guards. She cites Steph Curry as her favorite player, but also draws inspiration from Skylar Diggins and Kyrie Irving.
But it wasn't NBA superstars who spurred Mitchell's love for the game, it was her older sisters Michelle and Jacqueline who encouraged her to pick up a ball as soon as she could.
"I always wanted to be like them," says Mitchell. "They grew up playing so as soon as I could hold a ball, I wanted to play."
It wasn't just basketball her sisters got her interested in. Mitchell is studying kinesiology with the hopes of being a physical therapist one day.
"My sisters are occupational therapists and physical therapists," Mitchell added. "Growing up I always wanted to do something in the medical field. Especially after playing sports where you deal with a lot of injuries. I love science, I am a nerd for anatomy and biology, anything dealing with the human body."
Mitchell's love for the medical field is part of the reason she chose UAB. She also described the family environment of the basketball program as a huge factor in her decision.
"It is really a family atmosphere here," states Mitchell. "The coaches are amazing; they are the main reason I came here, and they really encourage that family feel."
Off the court Mitchell enjoys the outdoors. She has a hidden knack for playing the guitar and piano, and she could not live without her dogs.
Stay tuned this weekend as Sam Mitchell takes over the UAB women's basketball Instagram page (UAB_wbball).
Secure your women's basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).
UAB has put together consecutive 25+ win seasons and is looking forward to a third this year. The Blazers will return 11 players from last year's squad, but there are four new faces that could help bring the Green and Gold back to the top of the Conference USA standings.
Over the next week fans will get the chance to learn about these new Blazers in a segment called Blazer Buzz. This week starts with freshman point guard, Sam Mitchell.
Mitchell comes to Birmingham from Downers Grove, Ill. where she played high school basketball at Montini Catholic alongside fellow Blazer Lea Kerstein. Mitchell helped lead Montini Catholic to the post season all four of her years and was a four-time All Area conference team honoree. In a two-year run Mitchell helped guide the Broncos to a 66-8 record and two State Championship appearances.
On the court Mitchell models her game off some of her favorite NBA and WNBA point guards. She cites Steph Curry as her favorite player, but also draws inspiration from Skylar Diggins and Kyrie Irving.
But it wasn't NBA superstars who spurred Mitchell's love for the game, it was her older sisters Michelle and Jacqueline who encouraged her to pick up a ball as soon as she could.
"I always wanted to be like them," says Mitchell. "They grew up playing so as soon as I could hold a ball, I wanted to play."
It wasn't just basketball her sisters got her interested in. Mitchell is studying kinesiology with the hopes of being a physical therapist one day.
"My sisters are occupational therapists and physical therapists," Mitchell added. "Growing up I always wanted to do something in the medical field. Especially after playing sports where you deal with a lot of injuries. I love science, I am a nerd for anatomy and biology, anything dealing with the human body."
Mitchell's love for the medical field is part of the reason she chose UAB. She also described the family environment of the basketball program as a huge factor in her decision.
"It is really a family atmosphere here," states Mitchell. "The coaches are amazing; they are the main reason I came here, and they really encourage that family feel."
Off the court Mitchell enjoys the outdoors. She has a hidden knack for playing the guitar and piano, and she could not live without her dogs.
Stay tuned this weekend as Sam Mitchell takes over the UAB women's basketball Instagram page (UAB_wbball).
Secure your women's basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).
Players Mentioned
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