Starting point guard Temeka Johnson was caught off guard by the fact her backup, true freshman Amber Long, maxed out at 210 pounds on the bench press.
“When I first saw her I was like ‘Good God!’ Johnson said. “She maxed out at 210 up in the weightroom.”
Not only has she proved her worth in the weight room, but Long, a 5-foot-6 guard from Dutch Fork High School and Irmo, S.C., also has an impressive basketball resume.
She was a five-year starter in high school who averaged 19.8 points, six assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 steals her senior season.
Long was also a finalist for 4A Ms. Basketball South Carolina and an Adidas All-American team member as a senior. She also collected an honorable mention All-American from Street & Smith’s Magazine.
She also was a consistent performer, garnering three All-Region, All-Area and All-State honors.
Long said she chose the LSU program because of coach Sue Gunter and her staff.
“The coaching staff – they are a tremendous help [for] me,” Long said. “The coaching staff had a lot to do with it. I like the team’s style of play. I know I can come here as a good player and leave as a better one.”
Long said she probably will not be able to get much playing time immediately, but in the future she will have the daunting task of replacing Johnson.
She said she enjoys playing against and watching Johnson on the court.
“I knew I wasn’t going to come here and get playing time right off the bat,” Long said. “Temeka is a great point guard. I’m willing to learn. There’s no disappointment of me not stepping in and playing because I’m willing to learn. I know I have a lot of things to learn at a higher level of basketball.
“I know I have some big shoes to fill. Temeka is dynamite. She’s small, but very focused. I’m just going to try and work as hard as she does. She pushes me every day. I’m just going to play as hard as I can.”
Gunter said Long has made progress and will continue to improve.
“Amber comes in with an awful lot to learn, but she’s worked very hard,” Gunter said. “I think every time you have to go one-on-one with Temeka Johnson in practice every day, you’re going to see a lesson a day and in many instances more than one.”
Gunter said Long still has to continue to get better and master the mental side of the game.
“Amber’s coming along really well,” Gunter said. “She’s got a lot to learn, particularly just from the mental part of the game.
“She’s a strong kid. She works very hard. She’s got a great attitude. She’s a little ways away, but she’s doing a great job as far as taking the coaching and listening to her teammates.”
Johnson said she will try to help Long and another true freshman guard, New Orleans native Khalilah Mitchell, along as best as she can.
“I have confidence in them,” Johnson said. “That’s my main goal right now is to keep my confidence in them.”