Sooner Profile: Whitney Hand

Whitney Hand \| Freshman \| Basketball \| 6-1
	Parents: Rich and Susan Hand Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas High School: Liberty Christian H.S. Coach: Ken Burroughs Major: University Studies Multimedia View Interview \| Photo Gallery \| Bio

NORMAN, Okla. -- She doesn't play like a freshman, and she sure doesn't act like one.

Since Whitney Hand first arrived on campus, women's basketball coach Sherri Coale has repeatedly stated that she and Jasmine Hartman are the most prepared newcomers she's ever coached.

And while Hand's abilities on the hardwood have been evident for awhile, her maturity off the court is perhaps what has stood out the most during her short time on campus so far.

We recently sat down with the level-headed rookie to get her initial impressions of the college experience and what it's like being a part of the Oklahoma basketball program.

On how a Texas girl ends up at Oklahoma:
"Really, it's just kind of how the dice fell. I visited a lot of schools and my dad was really good through the entire process. We just fell in love with the school and really liked the coaches, the program and the team."

On what sold her on the Oklahoma basketball program:
"Everybody says to go where you feel most at home, and I would just say I really felt at home every time I was here. And the coaches obviously do a really good job of making you feel at home and welcoming you."

On Coach Coale's comments regarding how prepared the freshmen are:
"The preseason is preseason. [The coaches] are here so many hours preparing us. They call us the most prepared, but they are so prepared and so willing to take us in. I don't know how prepared we are but I really hope we are. I just think they've done a really good job of including us and incorporating us right from the beginning to make an impact."

On how much it has helped to have so many experienced players around her:
"It's incredible. You come from high school where you are the go-to person on the team. Here, on any given night you have Amanda, Ashley, Courtney, D-Rob... Everybody just gives everything they have. They know what it takes and they know how it feels not to get there. It's just a cool hunger that goes through the entire team."

On what it's like being a part of this team away from the basketball court:
"I think the coolest part about our team is we're so diverse and so unique, but we find a way to mesh and come together as one in the end. It's cool to see the interaction between the different personalities and everything to make our team what we are."

On the most difficult part about the transition to college:
"Everybody says it, but definitely the time management. There really is no time during the day, especially in the preseason when you're waking up at 4:30 or 5:00 and going to bed at like 10:00 just trying to get enough sleep and not stressing out about everything. So I would say just managing everything you have to do."

On how the veterans on the team have taken her under their wing:
"[Amanda Thompson] is my workout partner and we live together and she's in here a lot. I really respect her work ethic and I respect who she is. We're completely different people but in the end it's cool just to see the friendships that can evolve from that. You have Carlee and Jenny who relate to better, but then one of my best friends is Danielle. Ashley and Courtney are just Ashley and Courtney and they're awesome. It's just really cool."

On whether she considers herself a gym rat:
"I don't know, not compared to some people. I think that's just what it takes."

On when her passion for basketball really developed:
"My dad was a professional baseball player and we just have an athletic background. My older sister is only 22 months older than me, so we were always competing and just going back and forth. It probably started around sixth grade. You start playing Select when you're in like third grade but you don't really know if that's what you want to do. My parents always did a good job of keeping it about the love of the game and my sister and I just had a blast with it."

On what kind of impact she is trying to make this year:
"I see myself wherever they see me. Whatever time of the day or time of the game or whatever they need me to do on the court or off the court, I want to be willing to do that. I don't know what that really entails yet. I'm just looking to Coach Coale's wisdom and the wisdom of the players and just kind of see where that falls."

On how special it is to be a part of this program:
"It's something that you don't really understand until you're a part of it. I think everybody here can attest to how close everyone is. It's not just an outward love for each other. It's so genuine and so unique, and really you don't find that many places. I think that's what's so attractive to anybody who sees our program. They see how much we love each other rather than just the game and winning. Obviously all that stuff matters, but our interaction is definitely the coolest part."

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