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 AALIYAH MCQUEEN:
Aaliyah is one of seven newcomers on the 2021-22 squad
Full Name:
Aaliyah McQueen
Birthdate: 2/27/02
Hometown: Flint, Mich.
High School: Carman-Ainsworth
Previous School: Illinois
Major: Psychology
2020-21 Illinois:
• Played in 19 games, averaging 9.6 minutes per contest
• Scored a career-high 8 points at Michigan State (2/4/21), including 2-for-2 shooting from three-point range
• Pulled down career-high rebounding totals with six boards at Northwestern (1/21/21) and vs. Penn State (1/28/21)
High School highlights:
• Ranked as the No. 22 wing in the class of 2020 according to Prospects Nation
• Named Associated Press Division I Girls Basketball All-Michigan first team as a senior, and honorable mention as a junior
• Earned 2019 and 2020 All-Saginaw Valley South first team recognition
• Averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game as a senior
• Led the 2019-20 Cavaliers to a 19-5 record en route to district and league championships
• Played AAU basketball for the Michigan Storm
Fun Facts:
Pre-game superstitions: Music in headphones
What advice would you give your younger self: Think before acting
Cabin in the woods or cabana on the beach? Cabana on the beach
Biggest peeve: Hearing someone smacking their food
Biggest role model: Lance Belill
Favorite athlete: Candice Parker
Favorite superpower: Teleportation
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite pre-game snack: Carmel and apples
Spirit animal: Cheetah
Q & A:
Q: What excites you the most to play this season on the women's basketball team?
A: I'm excited to play with my teammates and to see us make it to the tournament as well as win
games.
Q: What do you feel is the best skill set you can bring to the team?
A: I bring a high IQ to this team that gets my teammates involved and able to limitless mistakes
in order to help my team to success
Q: What was the major reason you decided to ultimately transfer to Oakland?
A: I transferred to Oakland because of feeling like home. My coaches and teammates care a
great deal about me and are not afraid to call me out on my mistakes. They help me get through
adversity and motivate me to want to better on and off the court.
Q: How do you feel your game will transition from a Power-5 college to a mid-major?
A: My game will improve a lot just by working much harder and trusting everyone in my corner.
Since I have been here I have rebuilt my confidence, which will be key for me this season, and
that will give me the boost to come out in attack mode
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 thinking process during games. I tend to sometimes not really think
everything through and act, but I have learned that sometimes you have to think about what
kind of play you want to make and how you are going to do that for the benefit of your team
rather than yourself.
Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far after completing
summer workouts and starting season practice?
A: I have learned that nothing is given, everything is earned. Of course, everyone says that, but
being here at OU it's actually shown that that is the case.
Q: What are you short-term and long-term goals you have for yourself as an incoming
student-athlete?
A: My short-term goal is to build chemistry with my team as well as improve on my
weaknesses and make fewer mistakes. My long term goal is to make it overseas and build
lifelong relationships here at OU
TWEET OF THE WEEK:
THE 2021-22 SCHEDULE IS HERE:
HORIZON LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
#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!!
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