North Carolina State University Athletics
Whittington Embraces Third Season, Challenges
1/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BY BRANDON YOPP
RALEIGH, N.C. - In her first two years on the women's basketball team at NC State, junior Khadijah Whittington made a name for herself with her athleticism, hard work and hustle. As a freshman in 2005, the Roanoke, Va., native averaged over eight points per contest, while blocking 15 shots and pulling in 152 rebounds.
Last year, Whittington improved upon all facets of her offensive assault, averaging double-digits in scoring and eight rebounds each time out, while more than doubling her rookie block total with 31 rejections. Whittington's 248 rebounds during the 2006 season stand as the most of any Wolfpack player in the past six seasons. She finished third in the league last year in total rebounds.
This year, however, the stage is set for Whittington to assert herself as one of the premier players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The lone junior on a team of six seniors, six freshmen and one sophomore, Whittington stands as one of just two full-time returning starters from last year's squad.
Despite the unusual mix of eligibility on the roster, Whittington assures anyone who will listen that the bond of players and staff has never been tighter.
“You can tell by the way that practice goes that this is a total team effort this year,’’ said Whittington. “We have always been a family, but this year we are an even closer-knit group than before. We call it the Wolfpack family, because that’s really what it is. We are a family.”
For Whittington, the sense of family was never more apparent and comforting than this summer when she tried out for the United States U-20 national team. She made the first cut as the roster was trimmed down to 18 players and was primed and prepared to keep fighting for a final roster spot.
Two days before tryouts were to begin for the second phase of cuts, Whittington was forced to pull out due to a partial tear of her ACL and PCL. Devastated by not being able to continue working towards making the national squad, Whittington turned to Coach Yow for comfort and support.
"Coach Yow called me and she was there for me after my injury," said Whittington. "It meant so much to me to have her there, knowing that she still supported me and understood the pain that I felt."
Yow's embrace wasn't a surprise to Whittington, who credits the longtime Wolfpack leader for much of her success and inspiration.
"She does so much for me," said Whittington. "She doesn't even have to say much. I can't explain it. She is just so encouraging. I don't have a word to describe what she means to me."
With support like that, it’s no wonder that Whittington steadily elevated her game over the course of her freshman and sophomore seasons. Because of the fact that her play has garnished so much publicity and attention over her first two seasons, coupled with key personnel losses after each year, many spectators will no doubt consider Whittington as the face of the team this season. Unfazed by the additional pressure, Whittington points out that the Wolfpack team can't make it on her effort alone.
"I accept that I might be the face of the Wolfpack now, but there's no individual on this team that is more important than someone else," said Whittington. "Everyone on this team can play. Everyone can get it done. We are a true team and we need everyone in order for us to make it. It's a flat-out team effort."
Holding on to aspirations of playing professionally when her time at NC State comes to a halt, Whittington says she is comfortable with her game, though she continues to work on the little things, as well as her scoring and defense in the paint. Before her summer injury, Whittington spent many hours working on her free throw shooting, jump shot and dribble penetration.
"I know I have to be more consistent at finishing my shots this year,” said Whittington. "I want to step up and be a leader and get the job done."
Picked to finish fourth in the preseason ACC poll, the Pack isn’t exactly flying under the radar this season. Neither is Whittington. Although defenses have seen enough of her game at this point to plot against her, Whittington remains confident in the abilities of herself and her teammates. With goals of leading the red and white back to the NCAA Tournament and past the first round, Whittington is ready to take on all challengers, make a name for herself and enjoy the family atmosphere of Wolfpack women’s basketball.
“The first two years for me have been like a dream,” said Whittington. “But I haven’t finished dreaming yet.”
