PURPOSE

BYU junior forward Danielle Cheesman says she understands her job and knows how to get it done.

"I bring a lot of experience to the team," said Cheesman. "I'm pretty confident in myself, and I understand the game pretty well. So I try to hold my own and do my job. I make sure I get what I'm expected to do done and also try to help the other girls - especially the incoming freshmen."

The 6'2'' Cheesman has had great examples in her life, most notably her father, Jay, who played at BYU and then professionally in Utah and overseas in Belgium.

"He would take me to go shooting," she said. "He never forced me into it. He always asked me if I wanted to do it and I did. He always has been the support for me. Growing up and playing with my sister (Heather, who played at BYU until injury forced her to retire), she was also my role model. She was an inspiration to me for how hard she worked."

Cheesman, 20, said she loves playing college basketball close to home, but applauds her family for also giving her the freedom to enjoy student life.

Last summer she worked intently on her game.

"I'm going to be playing a lot more outside this year," she said. "So I worked a little on driving with the ball, attacking and my outside shooting as well as trying to keep up on my post moves. You can never stop working on your game.

"Personally, my goals are to improve and to be consistent," she added. "You need to be consistent so the team doesn't need to worry if you'll show up to the game or not.

"We have a lot of experience coming back. Granted, we did lose Erin Thorn (now in the WNBA), but I think everybody will be able to step up. If everyone fills their role, we will be a very strong team. We have a lot of different weapons."

- Lois Elfman

Copyright Ashton International Media, Inc. Feb 2004
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