Being in a strange country, making new friends and having to learn a new basketball system might be tough for some players, but Hanna Biernacka takes it all in stride.
The 6-foot-1 freshman forward from Stockholm, Sweden has adjusted to college life and basketball practice well despite being in the Unites States for only a few months. Biernacka, who speaks five languages (English, Swedish, Polish, German and Spanish) first came to the country for her five official recruiting visits last year and e-mailed assistant coach Carla Berry when she became interested in playing for the Lady Tigers.
Point guard Temeka Johnson said Biernacka’s outgoing personality has helped her adjust to LSU with no problems at all.
“I think she adjusted when she got off the plane for her visit,” Johnson said. “It was easy for her. I think Hanna has more friends on campus than I do. She has no problem getting along with anybody.”
Johnson, who is Biernacka’s roommate, compared her to former Lady Tigers guard Patty Hanten and said she is a very friendly person.
“She can’t keep still though,” Johnson said. “She runs in and out of the door like crazy. She’s the busiest person that doesn’t have anything to do. She’s always on the go.”
Biernacka averaged 18.0 points and seven rebounds for her high school team, the Telge Emergi Club, and could see significant time early this season.
LSU coach Sue Gunter said Biernacka will get a chance to play at either post position because of injuries to Wendlyn Jones and Crystal White. Gunter said Biernacka’s personality makes her easy to coach.
“She’s very coachable and is a bright player,” Gunter said. “She understands the game. She’s just one of those that you get lucky sometimes [to] get a player like her. She’s going to be a huge plus for us.”
Biernacka, who chose LSU over Mississippi State, South Carolina, Miami and Boston College, said the Lady Tigers’ success last season played a part in her decision, but she was more impressed with the offensive system the team runs.
“I felt that I got along with the coaches and everything just fit right in,” she said. “I really think it was more of the style of play [that drew me] here. We ran a similar motion offense in high school.”
Gunter said Biernacka playing in Europe probably has helped her mature faster than most players, and her fundamentals are very sound.
“She’s a kid that can play inside or outside,” Gunter said. “She can shoot the three [point shot] and is very versatile, and I think you’ll find that with most of the European players.”
Biernacka said she traveled all over Europe playing different teams in high school, and she is looking forward to adjusting to the American game.
“It’s really different basketball there than it is here,” Biernacka said. “It’s more athletic and faster over here, and Europeans, they don’t think as much on the court. It’s like they just pass the ball and go. It’s very different.”
Johnson said Biernacka’s style of play will help her once the season starts because opposing players won’t know what to expect from her.
“The fundamental aspect of her game [is there],” Johnson said. “In Europe they work a lot on the fundamentals, and I think that’s going to be the key for her. She’s not going to do a lot of the ‘And 1’ stuff.”
Gunter has compared Biernacka to former Lady Tigers guard/forward Katrina Hibbert, who played for LSU from 1997 to 2000 and finished sixth in school history with 1,695 points.
“I think their style of play is very similar,” Gunter said. “I think Katrina is the better shooter, but Hanna is the better post-up player. When our fans watch them play, they’re going to see a similarity between the two players.”
Biernacka said she hopes she can live up to Hibbert’s accomplishments.
“I saw her on videotape just recently,” Biernacka said. “She was a good player, so I have some big shoes to fill.”