ROCHESTER, Mich. – Check out this inside look at the latest news about the Oakland women's basketball team, student-athletes and staff on and off the court.
MEET HELEN STALEY:
Helen is one of seven newcomers on the 2021-22 squad
Full Name: Helen L Staley
Birthdate: 10/1/02
Hometown: Rosemont, Minn.
High School: Rosemont
Major: Exercise Science
High School highlights:
• Four-year letter winner and two-year captain for Head Coach Chris Orr
• Finished career as Rosemont HS all-time leading rebounder, surpassed the 1,000-point mark and Minnesota Miss Basketball nominee during senior campaign
• Helped lead Rosemont HS to Class 4A Championship game and runner-up finish posting 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks
Posted 21 points, five assists helping Rosemont defeat arch-rival Eastview for the first time in Orr's tenure
• Four-time South Suburban All-Conference selection (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Minnesota Coach's Association All-State Honorable Mention (2020)
• Helped Minnesota Fury AAU Team win 2019 and 2020 AAU State Championship and 2019 U-16 National runner-up finish
Q & A:
Q: How excited are you to join the women's basketball team?
A: I am very excited to be a part of the women's basketball team at Oakland.
Q: What do you feel is the best skill set you can bring to the team?
A: I feel as if I bring some grit to this team and have a strong passing game and vision of the court.
Q: What was the major reason you decided to ultimately choose Oakland University?
A: I chose Oakland because of the great coaching staff and the campus.
Q: How do you feel your game will transition to the Division I college level?
A: I feel as if I will transition very well into the division one level because I can do a lot on the floor.
Q: Is there any part of your game you want to improve on as you transition into your role on the team?
A: I want to improve my overall shooting and scoring ability.
Q: Summer practice and workouts just concluded. What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far?
A: The most important lesson I have learned is that it is ok to make mistakes and not to be too hard on yourself.
Q: What are you short-term and long-term goals you have for yourself as an incoming freshman student-athlete?
A: My goal is to get out onto the court this year and just play. Long term I hope to be playing the NCAA tournament multiple times.
Fun Facts:
Pre-game superstitions: Brush my teeth right before the game
Favorite pro athlete: LeBron James
Favorite superpower: To fly
Favorite sports movie: Hoosiers
Favorite food: Steak
Top Bucket List item: Travel to Europe
Best invention ever: Cell phone
Quote to live by: "If you don't do it yourself, no one will do it for you"
Advice to give to yourself: Keep going no matter what
Spirit animal: Lion
Harry Potter or Star Wars: Star Wars
TWEET OF THE WEEK:
No words needed!!
#BEUS
The motto for the season is BE US!! What does that mean? Our weekly Wednesday Word of the Week installments will paint a picture all the way until the season opener in November so be sure to check it out!!
SUMMER TIME HARD WORK:
With summer practice and workouts complete, the team is looking good heading into a two-week break before classes start!!
Gallery: (8-17-2021) Oakland WBB Workout
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