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Saiki Appreciates Carey's Style
October 12, 2015 12:49 PM | Women's Basketball
Over the next few weeks, WVUsports.com will highlight members of the 2015-16 West Virginia University women’s basketball team. The sixth installment of this feature includes freshman guard Lauren Saiki.
Coming onto the court at 5-foot-3, looks may be deceiving. But make no mistake that the player referred to as “Smalls” brings a big-time game every time she laces up her shoes. Freshman guard Lauren Saiki joins the WVU women’s basketball team all the way from Monterey Park, California.
Saiki is a high energy point guard that is noted for her ability to pass and distribute the ball to those around her on the court. As a senior, Saiki led Mark Keppel High School to the CIF State Championship Game and also was the CIF State Southern Regional Championship MVP. Saiki capped off her senior season with Los Angeles Times and Pasadena Star-News All-Team accolades.
Saiki noted her decision to make the 2,444 mile trip from Monterey Park to Morgantown was heavily influenced by the coaching style of WVU coach Mike Carey.
Saiki knew that she would most likely be making the journey away from California at the end of her high school career.
“I felt that anywhere I went, I would be away from home,” noted the freshman. “This is definitely far from home, but I felt that WVU would offer me a great opportunity and I had to seize the moment.”
When asked about the influence of Coach Carey, Saiki’s eye lit up in describing the coach’s style.
“After our European tour, he emphasized in our postgame talk’s that he is going to work you hard, but it’s because he wants the best out of you,” said Saiki.
The experiences that Saiki gained while on the Mountaineers’ tour of Europe over the summer were invaluable in nature in helping her adapt to the college game, both on and off the court.
She reflected on the trip by saying “That was crucial. I think it was a great experience. We had to work extra hard over the summer because we had to play and practice, but I think it really gave us an opportunity to see what is coming up for the year.”
Saiki’s prep career went beyond the scholastic circuit, she also was a member of women’s basketball great Diana Taurasi’s California Storm Team Taurasi AAU team. Sidelined by an ACL injury, Saiki helped in a coaching role to guide Team Taurasi to the inaugural Nike Elite Youth Basketball National Championship before her senior year of prep play. Saiki claims that some of her most valuable experiences in basketball came from that campaign.
“It gave me a different view of the game,” exclaimed Saiki. “Especially being next to that coaching staff and their knowledge of the game. It gave me a whole different view and gave me a new appreciation for the game.”
Understanding the journey and process of those who have helped her get to the level of playing for a program that has won a Big 12 championship is something that Saiki appreciates and reflects on with the utmost importance.
“I always played for fun, and then it got more competitive as I went up through high school,” said Saiki. “I had a few mentors growing up playing in the Japanese-American leagues”.
Among these mentors Saiki spoke highly of former Cal-State Bakersfield guard Krista Arasa and her positive influence on helping Saiki progress and evolve her game.
Currently enrolled in General Studies, Saiki has more than enough time to figure out what her plans are later on off the court. If there is one thing for certain however, it is that Saiki’s determination and drive will serve her well in any facet of life.
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