[ad_1]
Greta Kampschroeder is right where she belongs.
After a year across the country and two years as a reserve for the Michigan women’s basketball team, Kampschroeder — now a senior guard — is expected to have an increased role in her final campaign as a Wolverine. As one of four returnees from last year’s squad, Michigan has leaned on Kampschroeder’s leadership and experience as its new roster gels and develops.
As a highly touted high school prospect — a McDonalds’ and Jordan Brand Classic All-American, and the eighth-ranked player nationally according to Blue Star Media — Kampschroeder took her talents over 2,000 miles away from her hometown of Naperville, Ill., electing to play at Oregon State.
But after a year, Kampschroeder made a change. She moved closer to home.
“I went out west my freshman year, and there were a lot of great things to offer, but it was definitely hard,” Kampschroeder said at Big Ten Media Days. “Coming back to the Big Ten and coming back to the midwest has been amazing, and my family gets to come to every single game … I didn’t realize how special that was until I got to college.”
Kampschroeder’s two years back in the midwest have made a significant impact on her college career, and she’s expected to step into a larger role this year. Besides senior guard Jordan Hobbs, no returning player played more minutes last season than Kampschroeder. The Wolverines’ revamped, young roster — consisting of eight newcomers, including five freshmen — will lean on Kampschroeder for leadership and guidance.
Along with Hobbs, Kampschroeder has taken the reins in building team chemistry and guiding Michigan’s freshmen. In that role, she’s exhibited the impact of positive leadership she’s seen throughout her time in the program.
“We had some great leaders when we were underclassmen that we looked up to, … and carrying along some of their tactics has been super important,” Kampschroeder said. “… We try … to get to know (the new players) on a personal level.”
In addition to leading the charge off the court, Kampschroeder figures to play more after averaging single-digit minutes last season. Six of Michigan’s top seven scorers from last year aren’t returning, so Kampschroder should see more shots after attempting just over two per game a season ago. She’ll be competing for minutes with the Wolverines’ transfers and trio of highly rated freshman guards, but her experience should earn her more opportunities this year.
Michigan’s revamped roster is much shorter than in years past, featuring mostly guards and wings and only one player over 6-foot-4. As a result, the Wolverines will pivot to a guard-centric approach instead of playing through the post, as past squads typically did. Michigan’s new style of play should bring an increased emphasis on shooting, one of the strongest aspects of Kampschroeder’s game.
After all, at Big Ten Media Days, Hobbs left no doubt when asked who the Wolverines’ best shooter was.
“It’s Greta,” Hobbs said, turning to Kampschroeder. “Don’t be humble, it’s Greta.”
Kampschroeder made 19 of her 50 3-point attempts last season, finishing with a stellar 38% clip that was the second-best on Michigan’s roster. And with the Wolverines increased emphasis on spacing and finding shooters via dribble drives, she will likely see more looks from beyond the arc. Further, on a squad that could struggle to score inside, having a player who can rain threes is particularly valuable.
After three years as a reserve, Kampschroeder is in an ideal spot. She’s playing close to home, which allows her family to frequently come watch her play. She’s stepped up as a leader on a young, revamped Wolverines squad, and the makeup of this year’s roster will maximize her ability as a shooter.
Kampschroeder finally found where she belongs. It’s as a leader of this Michigan team.
Related articles
[ad_2]
Source link
