Photo by: Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Jordan Wallace: Let's Dance
Jul 15 | Women's Basketball
Rising senior center Jordan Wallace, while happy about what the Scarlet Knights did last season, wants everyone to know to get their dancing shoes ready.
Ask Wallace's teammates about her and they will immediately tell you she loves to dance.
On Selection Monday of last year, Wallace had her dancing shoes on in more ways than one. Her and her teammates, like the rest of the country, were caught off guard when the NCAA brackets were leaked on social media. Quickly, the Scarlet Knight student-athletes, coaches and support staff raced to the RAC barely making it onto the court to see "Rutgers" appear on the video board with an at-large bid.
"We were ready to go all out," recalled Wallace, who had dance moves ready to showcase for a scheduled fan party. "My personal highlight for last season was making it to the tournament."
Wallace's time in the spotlight with the beat unfortunately was put on hold as once the moved up selection show aired, it was all business and back to practice to prepare for RU's first tournament appearance since 2015. She is, however, ready to embrace a stronger role heading into her fourth year on the hardwood to ensure that her dance moves are seen barring another leaked bracket.
"We can't be satisfied," she said matter-of-factly. "We just got into the tournament and went into the first round. But we want to expand on that. We want to go as far as we can. I feel that that motivation is knowing what it felt like going to NCAA's, getting into the first round, and now what will it feel like if we can stay? Now it's time to prove we belong in there and we need to stay in there."
While Somerdale, New Jersey product and her teammates have been putting the time in at practice this summer along with strength and conditioning sessions and nutrition counseling, Wallace feels like what the Scarlet Knights do off the court is just as key to what their success will be this season.
"During the summer is when we spend the most time together," Wallace mentioned. "I think getting to know someone off the court helps you on the court tremendously."
"We do little stuff together like go to the beach, have get-togethers in our rooms, we like to go to mall, we are always getting our nails done together, we go to the movies a lot," rattled off Wallace. "Everyone came to my house in South Jersey earlier this summer to hang out there. We do everything and anything.
"I think it's good because we get to build a connection with everyone individually. You get to not only build a bond, but understand how you can play with this person and understand that person. You know what to do and what not to do with certain people and how to get the best out of your teammates. All the time we spend together off the court really benefits us."
One of Wallace's personal favorites is to hang out with the team at Top Golf.
"I don't think a lot of people would probably guess that about me," laughed Wallace. "Golf is actually one of my favorite sports aside from basketball. I even like to go out and do full courses too. I know Coach Stringer and I are supposed to go one of these days."
Fun and games off the court aside, Wallace realizes the impact she could personally have on the season and what she needs to do to make sure the team dances into the NCAA Tournament in 2019-20.
"I feel like with Vicki (Harris) not being here, I have to step up and play a major role for the team," noted Wallace. "The coaching staff has been pouring confidence in me all summer. I've been spending the summer preparing to take on that responsibility.
"I've been setting little personal goals, stuff like agility wise, conditioning wise, mental preparation," said noted. "Just the other day I hit a PR on my vertical jump. I feel like it's my time to shine and do whatever I can to help us win."
The more the Scarlet Knights win, the more likely Rutgers will get to dance into the NCAA Tournament and Wallace knows exactly what will happen.
"Literally, there will be dance party!," she smiled.
Ask Wallace's teammates about her and they will immediately tell you she loves to dance.
On Selection Monday of last year, Wallace had her dancing shoes on in more ways than one. Her and her teammates, like the rest of the country, were caught off guard when the NCAA brackets were leaked on social media. Quickly, the Scarlet Knight student-athletes, coaches and support staff raced to the RAC barely making it onto the court to see "Rutgers" appear on the video board with an at-large bid.
"We were ready to go all out," recalled Wallace, who had dance moves ready to showcase for a scheduled fan party. "My personal highlight for last season was making it to the tournament."
Wallace's time in the spotlight with the beat unfortunately was put on hold as once the moved up selection show aired, it was all business and back to practice to prepare for RU's first tournament appearance since 2015. She is, however, ready to embrace a stronger role heading into her fourth year on the hardwood to ensure that her dance moves are seen barring another leaked bracket.
"We can't be satisfied," she said matter-of-factly. "We just got into the tournament and went into the first round. But we want to expand on that. We want to go as far as we can. I feel that that motivation is knowing what it felt like going to NCAA's, getting into the first round, and now what will it feel like if we can stay? Now it's time to prove we belong in there and we need to stay in there."
While Somerdale, New Jersey product and her teammates have been putting the time in at practice this summer along with strength and conditioning sessions and nutrition counseling, Wallace feels like what the Scarlet Knights do off the court is just as key to what their success will be this season.
"During the summer is when we spend the most time together," Wallace mentioned. "I think getting to know someone off the court helps you on the court tremendously."
"We do little stuff together like go to the beach, have get-togethers in our rooms, we like to go to mall, we are always getting our nails done together, we go to the movies a lot," rattled off Wallace. "Everyone came to my house in South Jersey earlier this summer to hang out there. We do everything and anything.
"I think it's good because we get to build a connection with everyone individually. You get to not only build a bond, but understand how you can play with this person and understand that person. You know what to do and what not to do with certain people and how to get the best out of your teammates. All the time we spend together off the court really benefits us."
One of Wallace's personal favorites is to hang out with the team at Top Golf.
"I don't think a lot of people would probably guess that about me," laughed Wallace. "Golf is actually one of my favorite sports aside from basketball. I even like to go out and do full courses too. I know Coach Stringer and I are supposed to go one of these days."
Fun and games off the court aside, Wallace realizes the impact she could personally have on the season and what she needs to do to make sure the team dances into the NCAA Tournament in 2019-20.
"I feel like with Vicki (Harris) not being here, I have to step up and play a major role for the team," noted Wallace. "The coaching staff has been pouring confidence in me all summer. I've been spending the summer preparing to take on that responsibility.
"I've been setting little personal goals, stuff like agility wise, conditioning wise, mental preparation," said noted. "Just the other day I hit a PR on my vertical jump. I feel like it's my time to shine and do whatever I can to help us win."
The more the Scarlet Knights win, the more likely Rutgers will get to dance into the NCAA Tournament and Wallace knows exactly what will happen.
"Literally, there will be dance party!," she smiled.
Follow Rutgers women's basketball at www.ScarletKnights.com and (@RutgersWBB) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. For additional updates, download the Rutgers Gameday App.
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