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The University of Utah Athletics
Potter Making Mark at Utah
12/26/2016 1:02 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – For most, joining the 1,000-point club at the University of Utah is a four-year endeavor. Emily Potter isn't most people. Just 11 games into her junior year, she's in the club.
"It's a feat for anyone to do it in four years, but to be able to hit that a third of the way into your third season means you're a good player," head coach Lynne Roberts praised. "She is really good and a game changer. I don't think people realize how athletic she is and she's improved from last year. She is stronger and more under control."
Potter knocked down her 1,000th career point on a free-throw in the first quarter against Northern Arizona to emerge as one of just 26 Utes to reach the milestone. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native has six double-doubles, and is averaging 17.3 points and 10.8 rebounds through nonconference.
"I was a little nonchalant about the 1,000-point milestone after the game because I don't want to dwell on it too much," Potter said, reflecting on Utah's 78-65 win over Northern Arizona before the break. "We have so much other stuff to focus on with Pac-12 games starting.
"I feel really honored to be a part of this group of players who have reached 1,000 points. A huge part of this is that my coaches and teammates trust me and keep giving me the ball to be able to score."
Potter sat out the 2014-15 season with an injury, but was ready to come back stronger after putting in the time and dedication to recovery. After missing that season, Potter had a strong sophomore campaign with 17 double-doubles, and received Pac-12 All-Conference honors from the coaches and the media.
With two collegiate seasons under her belt and holding a leadership role as one of the most tenured players on a young squad, Potter focused on more than just physical ability during the offseason.
"My biggest improvement would be my leadership role, being more mentally focused every practice and game, and making better reads on offense," she said. "I haven't necessary learned a certain number of offensive schemes, but I think I'm playing a lot smarter and I'm more vocal on defense. I've made more behind-the-scenes improvements and mental adjustments."
Part of Potter's offseason training was just the opposite of mental preparations as she spent the summer playing for the Canadian National team.
"Team Canada has given me so many opportunities to play basketball with and against high-level, dedicated athletes, and it has opened my eyes to so many different ways to play the game and different skills that I can add to my own game," she said. "It is my goal to be an Olympian and play for my country every summer. I cannot thank Canada basketball enough for all that I have learned and gained from being a part of that program."
Potter was one of 12 athletes selected from the first phase of the women's national team training camp to travel to Europe to compete in France and Spain. She was one of three collegiate athletes to compete alongside nine members of the 2015 gold medal team.
The 6-6 forward leads the Pac-12 in blocked shots (33) and blocked shots per game (3.0). Her swatting skills have moved her up to second all-time in blocked shots in the Utah record book with 159 career blocks.
She is also second in rebounds per game (10.8) and defensive rebounds per game (7.0), and third in double-doubles (6), field goals made (73), field-goal percentage (60.3) and rebounds (119) in the Pac-12.
Despite all her eye-catching stats, Potter's goal is for her team.
"I just want to help the team win in any way I can, and as a post player it has always been my mentality to score if I get the ball in the post," Potter said. "If it is my job to score I want to do it to the best of my abilities.
"Playing with great players only raises your level of play even more. I love competing against my teammates in practice and making each other better every day, but more than that I love playing with my teammates in the game and having fun and everyone experiencing success. All my teammates at the U so far have been like family and they make me want to play hard for them. I don't want to let my teammates down."
The Utes open conference play untarnished at 11-0 on Friday, Dec. 30 against No. 10 UCLA in Los Angeles, Calif. before taking on USC on Sunday, Jan. 1.You can watch the stream and follow live stats at utahutes.com, while Tyson Ewing will have the play-by-play call on ESPN 700 at ESPN 700.
"It's a feat for anyone to do it in four years, but to be able to hit that a third of the way into your third season means you're a good player," head coach Lynne Roberts praised. "She is really good and a game changer. I don't think people realize how athletic she is and she's improved from last year. She is stronger and more under control."
Potter knocked down her 1,000th career point on a free-throw in the first quarter against Northern Arizona to emerge as one of just 26 Utes to reach the milestone. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native has six double-doubles, and is averaging 17.3 points and 10.8 rebounds through nonconference.
"I was a little nonchalant about the 1,000-point milestone after the game because I don't want to dwell on it too much," Potter said, reflecting on Utah's 78-65 win over Northern Arizona before the break. "We have so much other stuff to focus on with Pac-12 games starting.
"I feel really honored to be a part of this group of players who have reached 1,000 points. A huge part of this is that my coaches and teammates trust me and keep giving me the ball to be able to score."
Potter sat out the 2014-15 season with an injury, but was ready to come back stronger after putting in the time and dedication to recovery. After missing that season, Potter had a strong sophomore campaign with 17 double-doubles, and received Pac-12 All-Conference honors from the coaches and the media.
With two collegiate seasons under her belt and holding a leadership role as one of the most tenured players on a young squad, Potter focused on more than just physical ability during the offseason.
"My biggest improvement would be my leadership role, being more mentally focused every practice and game, and making better reads on offense," she said. "I haven't necessary learned a certain number of offensive schemes, but I think I'm playing a lot smarter and I'm more vocal on defense. I've made more behind-the-scenes improvements and mental adjustments."
Part of Potter's offseason training was just the opposite of mental preparations as she spent the summer playing for the Canadian National team.
"Team Canada has given me so many opportunities to play basketball with and against high-level, dedicated athletes, and it has opened my eyes to so many different ways to play the game and different skills that I can add to my own game," she said. "It is my goal to be an Olympian and play for my country every summer. I cannot thank Canada basketball enough for all that I have learned and gained from being a part of that program."
Potter was one of 12 athletes selected from the first phase of the women's national team training camp to travel to Europe to compete in France and Spain. She was one of three collegiate athletes to compete alongside nine members of the 2015 gold medal team.
The 6-6 forward leads the Pac-12 in blocked shots (33) and blocked shots per game (3.0). Her swatting skills have moved her up to second all-time in blocked shots in the Utah record book with 159 career blocks.
She is also second in rebounds per game (10.8) and defensive rebounds per game (7.0), and third in double-doubles (6), field goals made (73), field-goal percentage (60.3) and rebounds (119) in the Pac-12.
Despite all her eye-catching stats, Potter's goal is for her team.
"I just want to help the team win in any way I can, and as a post player it has always been my mentality to score if I get the ball in the post," Potter said. "If it is my job to score I want to do it to the best of my abilities.
"Playing with great players only raises your level of play even more. I love competing against my teammates in practice and making each other better every day, but more than that I love playing with my teammates in the game and having fun and everyone experiencing success. All my teammates at the U so far have been like family and they make me want to play hard for them. I don't want to let my teammates down."
The Utes open conference play untarnished at 11-0 on Friday, Dec. 30 against No. 10 UCLA in Los Angeles, Calif. before taking on USC on Sunday, Jan. 1.You can watch the stream and follow live stats at utahutes.com, while Tyson Ewing will have the play-by-play call on ESPN 700 at ESPN 700.
Players Mentioned
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