Baylor's 3 Seniors

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- HRR one-on-one interviews with Baylor's Jhasmin Player, Rachel Allison and Jessica Morrow from the 2008 Big 12 Media Day which took place October 22, 2008.

Baylor senior guard Jhasmin Player

How's practice gone thus far? –
“It’s going great. Everyone is looking good. A lot it is getting us in shape. We’re learning about Coach Barmore. The freshmen are learning as much as they can. It’s just a great time. I’m just happy to be out there; so, to me practice is just a feel good time right now.”

Thoughts on the newcomers and / or the Freshmen –
“They’re great. I told them earlier ‘it’s tough to be a freshman. I was there. It takes more than a year. Everyone has talent when you come here or else you wouldn’t be playing at this level. It takes time to learn the system. The faster they learn the system the better they’ll play. They’re all talented. The sky’s the limit for them; but, we have to get them in there and learn the system and make them more confident and comfortable. Once they do learn the system, they’ll be fine.”

Thoughts on the Big 12 Conference in '08-'09 –
“It’s tough. It’s tough. When you send eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, you know how tough it is. Any night in this league you can be beaten. Any night. It doesn’t matter where you’re playing. It doesn’t matter who’s picked first or who’s picked last. You can be beaten. Personally, from top to bottom, I think we have the best conference in the country.”

What are your thoughts on the prediction to finish fourth in the Big 12 Coaches' Poll? –
“We just found out we were picked fourth. It doesn’t matter. It’s not where you start it’s where you finish. You could pick us 12 at the beginning. But, it’s not about where you start, it’s where you finish; so, it doesn’t matter.”


Baylor senior forward Rachel Allison

Getting Jhasmin back this season after she suffered a knee injury in February...  –
“I’m so thrilled getting her back. I had a chance to play with for three years; and, I was not about to play this year and not play with her. I’m glad that she’s back. I think she’s a great asset to the team. I think she makes people around her better. Personally, I’m glad she’s back. I know that may sound a little selfish; but, I’m glad she’s back.”

What did you do this offseason to improve your game? –
“I worked on my guard skills a little bit because if I want to play at the next level I know I’m going to have do more than play with my back to the basket; so, I worked on my ball handling and extending my shooting range.”

What are your thoughts on the team's depth this season? Having more than 7 healthy players this year –
“It’s wonderful. Just the sound of it sounds great. Practice is a lot better. It’s a lot more competitive. We get to do five-on-five stuff we weren’t able to do last year. I think it’s going to help us – especially late in the season -- when we need that depth. We didn’t have that last year; and, I thought that (lack of depth) really affected us in the Tournament. I think the depth is going to be awesome for the team this year.”


Baylor senior wing Jessica Morrow

Describe your time at Baylor up to now... –
“My time at Baylor has definitely been a growing experience. I’m not the same person I was coming out of Humble High School. I’ve learned a lot. I haven’t always made the best decisions; but, I’ve stuck with it and I’ve learned my lessons. I think I’m a better person now because of my experiences.”

How has your basketball changed since your freshman season? –
“I think I’m more vocal now. I was pretty quiet in high school. I’m more confident now, too. I’m not so hard on myself. Playing for Coach Mulkey brings the best out of you. Things I never thought I could do, when I never thought I could keep going, I kept going and now a lot of times I’m not even tired. I think the maturity level of my play has grown.”

What did you do this offseason to improve your game? –
“I tried to improve my conditioning and get stronger so I could finish better when the game is on the line. I worked on my shooting and little things here and there. But, overall, in the summer time we worked on our team chemistry and learned everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Any thoughts on a pro career? –
“I’ve thought about it; but, I’m the type of person if it happens, it happens. I don’t beat myself up about it. If it comes, it’s definitely a blessing; but, if it doesn’t, I have a Baylor University degree that I can use.”