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Jordan Cruz: Growing On And Off The Court
12/14/2018 11:44 AM | Women's Basketball
Jordan Cruz has spent her life playing basketball. She first picked up the game on the playground in elementary school, while the other girls watched from the monkey bars. By third grade, she was on her first AAU team.
The decision to go college was an easy one.
"Utah stuck out to me not just because it was a Pac-12 school, but it was my first and last official visit," Cruz said. "I fell in love with it and I didn't want to go anywhere else."
After redshirting her first year, Cruz is now ready to pounce. It's a far cry from her freshman year of high school when she went through brain surgery. The passion she had for the game was stronger than the trials she faced, however, and after sitting out a whole summer to recover, she was back on the court.
"I just had the support of my friends, coaches, and family and I knew that I wasn't just going to give up on it," Cruz explained. "I knew I would be able to do it."
Going through a major surgery and coming back stronger is a rare occurrence, but Cruz has proven that she can navigate any obstacle or hardship. Having the support of those around her has been critical, too.
"My whole family has been there for each other, we all push each other. I've grown mentally and physically, I've learned a lot about life and become a lot more thankful as well."
Now at Utah, Cruz is playing a bench role, filling in for players and rotating into key spots. She's a self-described "shooter", and spaces the floor well for the other guards and bigs on the team. She's currently shooting 66% from deep, first on the team.
But nothing would be possible without her father.
"He played football growing up, played for the Chicago Bears, so he knew how to push me on an off the court," Cruz said. "He's like my best friend. I really appreciate that I get to have him next to me."
Her dad is often busy but travels out to see her when he can. If he can't make it, he tunes in to the Pac-12 Network and watches her from home.
For Cruz, the journey is just beginning at Utah. She's a versatile, dynamic player who knows how to stay within herself.
"Obviously I'm a shooter, but if there's games where my shot isn't going in, I'll hit the boards, play defense, anything the team needs. I'm learning a lot, but I want to provide anything that the team needs."
With a young core and a team that's off to a perfect start, the sky is the limit for Cruz and the Utes.
The decision to go college was an easy one.
"Utah stuck out to me not just because it was a Pac-12 school, but it was my first and last official visit," Cruz said. "I fell in love with it and I didn't want to go anywhere else."
After redshirting her first year, Cruz is now ready to pounce. It's a far cry from her freshman year of high school when she went through brain surgery. The passion she had for the game was stronger than the trials she faced, however, and after sitting out a whole summer to recover, she was back on the court.
"I just had the support of my friends, coaches, and family and I knew that I wasn't just going to give up on it," Cruz explained. "I knew I would be able to do it."
Going through a major surgery and coming back stronger is a rare occurrence, but Cruz has proven that she can navigate any obstacle or hardship. Having the support of those around her has been critical, too.
"My whole family has been there for each other, we all push each other. I've grown mentally and physically, I've learned a lot about life and become a lot more thankful as well."
Now at Utah, Cruz is playing a bench role, filling in for players and rotating into key spots. She's a self-described "shooter", and spaces the floor well for the other guards and bigs on the team. She's currently shooting 66% from deep, first on the team.
But nothing would be possible without her father.
"He played football growing up, played for the Chicago Bears, so he knew how to push me on an off the court," Cruz said. "He's like my best friend. I really appreciate that I get to have him next to me."
Her dad is often busy but travels out to see her when he can. If he can't make it, he tunes in to the Pac-12 Network and watches her from home.
For Cruz, the journey is just beginning at Utah. She's a versatile, dynamic player who knows how to stay within herself.
"Obviously I'm a shooter, but if there's games where my shot isn't going in, I'll hit the boards, play defense, anything the team needs. I'm learning a lot, but I want to provide anything that the team needs."
With a young core and a team that's off to a perfect start, the sky is the limit for Cruz and the Utes.
Players Mentioned
W
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