With the 2013-14 season set to kick off, Long Beach State women’s basketball freshman guard Anna Kim is focused on one thing: winning the Big West Championship.
“I have a lot of goals, but I want to achieve having a championship here within my four years,” she said.
Head coach Jody Wynn described Kim, a Fullerton native who went to Brea Olinda High School, as not only a tough competitor but a player with great knowledge of the game.
“She wants to win,” Wynn said. “She’s mentally and physically tough enough to play and compete at this level. If you have to ask me for one kid who has been ready since day one, then I’d have to say Anna [Kim].”
The 5-foot-5 point guard is confident she can adapt quickly to the college level of play and says pressure isn’t an issue.
“I try not to focus on what is surrounding me,” Kim said. “I’m playing the game that I love. It’s me slowing the pace down.”
The ‘Niners will come in with one senior, seven juniors and five freshmen. Wynn said she likes the balance of returners since they know what the expectations are coming in and are able to lead by example.
“The upperclassmen are doing a really good job of helping our freshmen along, and the transition has been really smooth,” Wynn said.
Kim noted that the pace of the game is one thing she needs to work on going forward.
“The pace is a lot faster,” she said. “My mind is going 100 mph at times. You need to play at your own pace and not the other team’s pace.”
In regards to why she chose to come to LBSU, Kim wanted to be in a family-like environment.
“I was big on family, and that’s the first thing I saw with this team and coaching staff,” she said. “I just wanted the family environment and the winning spirit they had.”
Kim added that she’s loved her time at LBSU so far, and the team is very positive.
“I’m honestly excited,” she said. “I think we still have a lot to learn, but we’re ready to play at this level.”
Wynn said she is confident that the freshmen will push a lot of the upperclassmen for playing time. She said the freshmen are competitive and can do multiple things on offense and defense.