For the past four seasons, eight LSU women’s basketball seniors have sacrificed blood, sweat and tears to make the Lady Tigers one of the most dominant programs in the country.
On the court, the senior class has won three Southeastern Conference titles, advanced to three-straight Final Fours and compiled a 118-19 overall record.
As successful as the seniors have been on the court, they have been equally successful in the classroom. Five of the eight have earned Academic All-SEC awards throughout their careers. The Lady Tigers’ hard work has prepared them for the day when they will trade their shorts and sneakers for business suits and heels.
LSU senior guard Khalilah Mitchell has been one of LSU’s primary back-court reserves this season, averaging more than three points and two assists per game.
As 4.0 student during the 2007 spring semester, Mitchell said she will attend graduate school after her basketball career ends.
The New Orleans native said she wants to become a motivational speaker to reach out to college athletes who do not put enough emphasis on academics.
“I want to emphasize and look into the stats of who actually goes pro,” Mitchell said. “On each team, maybe only three people make it to the next level. I just want people to understand the realistics of that.”
Mitchell said she wants to help student athletes overcome the stereotype that the main goal of student-athletes is to go pro in their respective sports.
“While we’re here, we’re worshiped and looked up to by everyone,” she said. “But once we’re in the work force, all of that ends. I want to help other athletes focus on making that transition go more smoothly.”
LSU senior forward Ashley Thomas has started 83 of her 111 games at LSU and has averaged four points and four rebounds per game in her career.
Thomas said she plans to stay involved in athletics once her playing career ends.
“I hope to go to [graduate] school once this season ends,” Thomas said. “My plan is to get a job in the marketing department of a professional team.”
The Stone Mountain, Ga., native said she would like to stay close to home and work for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, which begins its first season in the league in May.
“The WNBA would be nice,” Thomas said. “I plan to just start out on the bottom somewhere and work my way to the top.”
Several of the Lady Tigers’ starters hope to extend their playing careers beyond the collegiate level.
LSU center Sylvia Fowles and guards Quianna Chaney, Erica White and RaShonta LeBlanc are preparing to play in the WNBA in the 2008 season.
Chaney said in February that if her playing career does not work out, she wants to pursue a career coaching men’s basketball.
LSU senior guard Marian Whitfield is also hoping to play beyond this season.
Whitfield has played in 84 games during her career, including the first start of her career this past Thursday against Mississippi State.
The Augusta, Ga., native said she will return home after the season to explore ways to extend her career. If she cannot become a professional player, Whitfield said she would like to go into coaching.
“Once this year ends, I am going to go home and lay low with my sisters and think about some things,” Whitfield said. “The main thing I want to do is play ball overseas. That is what I am trying to do.”
—-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]