Kansas’ Scott swears she has a shot

By Staff     Nov 9, 2000

Selena Scott has a shot. She just hasn’t used it much during her first two years as a Kansas University basketball player.

“I thought my role was to distribute the ball,” said Scott, a 5-foot-5 junior guard from Austin, Texas.

Scott averaged 13.4 minutes per game as a reserve backcourt player last season, yet averaged only 1.6 points. Then again, when you average just 1.5 shots per game, it’s difficult to score.

“Everybody needs to be a threat this year,” Scott said, “and I’ve been working on being a threat. I’ve been working on my shooting.”

Mainly on her three-point shooting because Scott made just four of 20 shots from beyond the arc as a sophomore, perhaps because she shot too many too close to the 19-foot, 9-inch line.

Curiously, Scott prefers to launch from farther out. Much farther out.

“NBA range is more comfortable for me,” she said. “I don’t know why but I’m more comfortable out there. It’s weird. Usually, I’m way off the line when I shoot. I guess maybe it’s because they don’t expect it from out there.”

No doubt KU coach Marian Washington expected more scoring from Scott when she recruited her out of St. Michael’s Academy in Texas’ capital city. As a prep, Scott was a Parade All-American and was voted Central Texas player of the year.

At KU, Scott has played in 54 games, started just one and averaged 1.3 points and been guilty of more turnovers (49) than assists (35). However, during last season’s Big 12 Conference games she had 17 assists and only nine turnovers.

It remains to be seen whether Scott will make a quantum leap into a starting role this season. Only two starting jobs are open and she faces competition from a host of newcomers.

“That’s a goal,” she said. “But if I don’t start, I’ll come off the bench and do what I have to do.”

When not on the basketball floor, Scott can often be seen in the company of KU football player David Winbush who is also from Central Texas (Killeen) and towers over her by two inches at least on paper.

“We’re definitely best friends,” she said. “We’re always there for each other.”

Scott and her teammates have been concentrating on the weights during the off-season, but Scott smiles when she says she hasn’t caught Winbush.

“He’s still stronger than me,” she said, “but I’m more strong-headed.”

One thing is sure. Both Scott and Winbush are strong on the number 22. Both have worn those digits on their jerseys since they’ve been on Mount Oread.

“It’s sheer coincidence,” Scott said.

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