By Egyptsheanna Lundy — Reporter
San Jose State basketball player Tyra Whitehead says she’s always trying to do better.
The CSM Mountain West Player of the Week reflected on last season and the importance of maintaining defense on the court to be number one and give fans something to look forward to during a nationwide pandemic.
Being from Richmond, Virginia, she says she’s just trying to make it and sees the game as an opportunity to get drafted with the dream of playing overseas.
“I knew I was destined for greatness, but I always feel like I can do better. I’m my worst critic,” Whitehead said. “I am the first person to point out when I do something wrong and so many people tell me that’s the worst thing to do, but for me, it adds to my competitive nature.”
In 2019-20 she averaged 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 assists.
A career-high 28-point game with only two dribbles against Nevada led to her receiving the award last season.
That wasn’t the only time her offense led to a victory last year. After playing against Fresno State for the first time she truly showed what she can be offensive to the Spartan team.
For the first time since Lora Alexander in 1989, Whitehead’s had a 20 point, 20 rebound game. The senior collected her thirteen double-doubles last season, resulting in a preseason watch list nomination for Becky Hammon Player of the Year award, presented to the nation’s best mid-major women’s basketball player.
Against long-time rivals Fresno State she also ranked No.3 in field goal percentages in SJSU’s all-time single-season list ranking.
Last season she was first in the Mountain West in defensive rebounds, second in total rebounding, second in steals, third in offensive rebounds, fourth in field goal percentage, sixth in blocked shots, and 11th in scoring.
While averaging a double-double, she was also one of the conference’s best all-around defensive players, ending the season as the only performer in the top-five in both steals and blocks.
Whitehead says this season could be the best in her career.
Fresh off of a nine-month offseason she scored a game-high of 12 points and 10 rebounds in the season-opener against Cal to earn the award.
Whitehead ended the game with her 14th career double-double along with five steals, two blocks, and two assists.
Despite the stats, she says the game was about shaking the rust off and getting back to business.
“I think I played terrible that game,” Whitehead said. “To get player of the week was an honor because we have such a great team”.
This resulted in two of their games being canceled without the possibility of being rescheduled in a new area.
Due to the new COVID-19 restrictions placed on Santa Clara County banning all contact sports until at least Dec. 21, with the possibility of an extension all home games in the area have been canceled.
As a result of the executive order, San Jose State’s Women’s Basketball game against the University of San Francisco has been canceled along with UC Irvine with the unfortunate reality of not being renewed.
While many SJSU WBB players miss the playing at Provent Credit Union Event Center, Whitehead says she’s fine without it.
“Home games are fun, but I feel like with everything going on in the country the fan cheering us on socials makes every game feel like home, especially with the new additions to our coaching staff.
Head coach Jamie Craighead has been at SJSU since 2013.
She helped the team surpass the conference record for points scored in the season and set the San Jose State and Mountain West Conference single-game record with 19 wins.
With COVID-19 on the rise and SJSU women’s basketball has yet to have a confirmed case.
Whitehead says the SJSU athletics department has taken substantial steps to ensure the health and safety of their players and staff.
Mountain West guidelines ensure players get tested at least three times per week but the Spartans are taking extra precautions.
Kathleen Henn, the the program’s assigned COVID-19 administrator, has been at the forefront of all procedures.
“As players, we appreciate her time and hard work this season,” Whitehead said. “We get checked at least once a day with temperature tests as soon as we go to morning weight training and every other time we practice”.
Players and fans are looking forward to this season, whenever it restarts, to see if Whitehead and the Spartans can surpass the high standards they set last season.
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