Passing the Torch
Dec 14 | Women's Basketball
By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Until recently, whenever Kahleah Copper passed by the names stretched across the top wall outside the Rutgers women's basketball office she rarely gave them a second thought.
The names (and jersey numbers) of the former Scarlet Knights who were WNBA Draft picks always seemed to serve as little more than a historical reminder of the program's success to Rutgers' senior wing. Then Betnijah Laney's name and number were added and it changed everything for Copper.
Laney was more than a recent teammate, graduating Rutgers last year. She is someone Copper has known and played with since they both got serious about basketball nearly a decade ago.
"We grew up together. We've played together since I was in eighth grade," said Copper. "Now Betnijah is there (on the wall) and suddenly I'm thinking `Am I next?' It seems like it's all happening so fast, even though I know that's not the case. It's was a lot of time and hard work to get to this point.
"Last year I was in kind of a supporting role for Betnijah. I was her partner on the court and that really worked out well. But now it's me and I'm ready for it. It seems like it's all coming together and all I can think is `it's here. It's my time now.' "
Copper's influence has been everywhere as Rutgers (8-3) has regained its footing following a 1-2 start by winning seven of its last eight heading into Saturday's home game against LSU.
She's the Scarlet Knights' top scorer at 17.7 ppg - after leading the team in that category the previous two seasons - and is also averaging a team-best 7.3 rebounds. She has also added two key elements to her game.
One is three-point shooting. After not making a single three her first three seasons, Copper is 10-of-25 from beyond the arc this year. The other is leadership.
This is her team now and she knows it.
"I'm definitely trying to step up and be the leader for this team," she said. "Betnijah was such a great leader. To step into those shoes is a big challenge. I've been trying to bring it every day and make sure I'm that leader.
"I think I'm a natural leader but I also think I can be much better at it because I can be more vocal. I'm always trying to set the example for everybody but I know I can be more vocal. The main thing is that I want to be consistent and bring that consistent energy every day and set a good example as a leader."
People beyond the RAC are noticing, too. A Second-Team All-Big Ten selection last season, after earning First-Team All-AAC honors as a sophomore, the Philadelphia native is on the watch list for the Naismith Trophy and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for Women's College Player of the Year.
"It's nice to know that people recognize that I've been putting in the work and that I've continued to get better," she said. "I've gotten better throughout the summer and I've continued to work. I haven't stopped trying to keep getting better every day."
After recording her third double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) of the season in last Sunday's 65-26 rout of Savannah State, Copper is also moving closer to ensuring her name and jersey are eventually added to the wall as one of the greatest scorers in school history. She is 35 points shy of cracking the program's career top 10.
The addition of the three-point shot to her repertoire should make her rise through those scoring ranks even faster than it has been.
"It was a necessity," she said. "I'm still growing as a player. I'm always in attack mode. Adding the three helps my game so much more because it makes me even more of a scoring threat. Now if you come out on me to guard the three, I can go past you.
"I'm comfortable shooting three's now. It's all about confidence. Once you put in the work and rep it then it comes natural. When you get the ball there's no hesitation. It has really opened up my game so much more."
As much as Copper enjoyed continuing to play with Laney at Rutgers, she has also come to realize that someone has to eventually step up when star players leave. It's a responsibility she has embraced.
"Betnijah has helped me so much," she said. "After she left I felt like I was ready to take over that role. I'm ready for it. I've been building for this for a few years."
