Jan. 16, 2014
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - "I was hearing basketballs bouncing before I even came out [of my mother's womb]," said freshman guard/forward Peyton Whitted.
The versatile Lady Lion newcomer has basketball in her blood. Her love of the game can be traced back to her father, Kevin, who played at Tennessee from 1993-95 and then professionally oversees in Spain and France.
According to Peyton, since playing her first game at the youthful age of seven, her father has taught her everything thing she knows about the game, from lacing up the shoes to the left-handed lay-up.
"He's taught me everything," said Whitted. "He's taught me how to shoot, how to dribble and how to play multiple positions."
More importantly, her father imbedded into his daughter's brain an even greater reason why basketball is not just a way of life; it's a life lesson.
"He has taught me off the court that everything I learn in basketball is going to help me with everyday life," said Whitted. "All the skills that I am learning out here apply to everything that I'm doing." Whitted is one of seven newcomers on the Lady Lions squad this season, which includes six freshmen and one sophomore transfer.
At this point in the season, Washington voiced that what has been most impressive about her young, supplementary seven has been their noticeable growth.
"Sometimes when you make the adjustment from high school to college...you can say `I'll wait my turn. I'll wait until next year. I'll wait until whenever,'" said Washington. "But that has not been case with this group of freshmen. They continue to work. They continue to get better in practice...their fight and their effort to improve has been really impressive to me."
Despite the fact that Washington has displayed excitement surrounding the maturation of her entire freshmen class, it is clear that Whitted has exhibited the most growth since her arrival in Happy Valley.
The reason for her blooming play at the collegiate level can be connected to the augmentation of her own self-confidence.
"She just has developed a lot of confidence," said Washington.
Like any newcomer the transition from high school to college play can be suffocating. The situation held no exception for Whitted, either.
"In October she probably wasn't the freshman who was having the best transition," said Washington. "The speed of the game, the physicality of the game, the amount of information she had to absorb, it was a challenge for her. But, since Thanksgiving she has developed some confidence and she has gotten stronger, which has helped her confidence."
In 14 games played this season, Whitted is averaging 2.9 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per game in 10.6 minutes per game.
With that being said, since the start of Big Ten play Whitted's confidence has clearly surged as of late. In Penn State's first three conference games, Whitted is averaging 5.7 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game in 13.7 minutes per game.
"I think her confidence comes from going into games and not tripping over her feet," said Washington jokingly. "Actually getting a rebound, putting a basket in and making a free throw. That is where her confidence is coming from. And as her confidence in her abilities and in her skill set has grown, her performance has grown."
Yes, her confidence stems from practice, games, repetition and team comradery, but going to a university like Penn State adds another explanation to Whitted's escalating growth and confidence. That additional justification resides in the people of Happy Valley.
"I love it [Penn State]," said Whitted. "Everybody is nice here. I have yet to meet one unfriendly person when I walk around campus. People really support women's basketball, and I really like that about this school. I just love the atmosphere on campus."
A tightknit community has made Whitted feel at home. For an athlete who sleeps with her eyes open, it is safe to say that such comfort makes it easier for Whitted to never take her eyes off the prize.
"Yes, I sleep with my eyes open," said Whitted with a laugh. "You can ask Kaliyah [Mitchell]. It's like every night. I fall asleep before her, and she always thinks I'm still awake. She tries to talk to me, but I don't answer her."
Although just a freshman, it is no surprise as to why Whitted keeps her eyes open 24/7. She dreams big. Her list includes being crowned Big Ten Champions, winning a National Championship, and being drafted into the WNBA.
The 6-foot-3 frame of Whitted makes her one to watch when it comes to the future of women's collegiate basketball. In the first half of her first collegiate season she has created mismatches for opponents on both sides of the ball. The Suwanee, Ga., native has the unique ability to be a physical force down low and a triple threat around the perimeter.
When asked which WNBA players she likes to emulate on the hardwood, Whitted said, "Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne."
Hailing from the state of Georgia, Whitted is used to enjoying juicy peach as a healthy snakc. With that being said, she surprisingly has yet to savor one here at Penn State.
"I've had apples and bananas here, but no peaches," said Whitted. Maybe after tomorrow night's home game at 7 p.m. against Big Ten foe Ohio State (12-7, 2-1), Washington and her team can treat the Georgia native to the Penn State way of consuming peaches--a cup of Peachy Paterno from the Creamery.