With a full season behind her, sophomore forward Teana Muldrow is ready to take that next step as a leader for the Mountaineers.

 

“I know what coach expects, I know how the Big 12 is, I know how the teams play, and I know the speed of the game. I see myself as a leader and I’m ready to take it on.”

 

Muldrow expects big things from the West Virginia women’s basketball team this year.

 

“We definitely want to make the NCAA Tournament, and win the Big 12 Championship,” Muldrow said.

 

In third grade, she began playing basketball on a team at her elementary school in East Orange, New Jersey. At such a young age, she realized that she was not too fond of the sport itself.

 

“It was too physical, and I did not think I was that good,” Muldrow stated.

 

It was not until her sophomore year of high school that Muldrow felt completely comfortable with playing basketball. She grew better at the sport as she continued high school. As a senior, Muldrow finished the season with an average of 22.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.

 

When deciding where to attend college, the criminology major felt that WVU was the right fit for her.

“I’m at a school where they really care about my education. I want to be a probation officer after basketball,” Muldrow said.

 

Muldrow also stated that the coaches played a huge role in her decision of coming to Morgantown. She felt more comfortable about being able to play under them.

 

After redshirting her first year on campus, Muldrow had a strong freshman year. She finished the year third on the team with 6.9 points. Her 47 made three-pointers were third-most by a WVU freshman in a single-season.

 

Over the summer, the Mountaineers took a trip across the pond to Europe to play four games. The sophomore put together strong performances overseas and registered a team-high 22 points in one of the contests.

 

This trip gave the team, with 11 newcomers, an opportunity to prepare for the season and work out some kinks. Muldrow looks forward to the fresh faces joining the returners on the court.

 

“I feel really good about playing with the newcomers and seeing what they can do,” Muldrow stated.

 

With so many newcomers joining the program and only five returners back this season, Muldrow has embraced the role of becoming a leader on the team.

 

“It feels nice just to know that your team needs you. It’s a good feeling personally to feel like you’re a big part of something, not just wearing a uniform,” Muldrow mentioned.

 

As a returner, Muldrow knows that she needs to lead and have a positive outlook on things. The person that Muldrow looks up to most is her mother, Wednesday Hatten. She has given Muldrow plenty of advice to help her stay grounded and lead the team to victory.

 

“She tells me that I’m going to hit bumps in the road, but to just keep going. I go to her when I’m down and she always brings me back up. I know that everything is going to be okay,” Muldrow said.

 

The Mountaineers are excited to play, and they have high hopes for this season. Looking toward the season, Muldrow has a positive outlook.

 

“We’re working really hard. We have a great attitude. We gel well together on and off the court,” Muldrow noted.