Periodically during the off-season, the returning Longhorns basketball players will keep everyone up-to-date on their off-court activities, training and workouts and summer academic work and their general thoughts as they get ready to take to the court next fall. Today, All-America and All-Big 12 6-2 senior post Tiffany Jackson stops by to bring everyone up to date on the Longhorns' progress during the summer.
Hey, everyone!
Right now, we as a team are at a really good spot. We are all training hard, and those who cannot train fully, like Carla (Cortijo) and Earnie (Williams) are recovering. So, plan for us to be back in full force to start the season!
Right now, it's classes, workouts and pickup games for us every week. We are studying really hard. I am an Ethnic Studies major, and right now I am taking a sign language class in the second semester of summer school.
Five days a week, we work out, and I am working more intensely than I ever have at my game. One of our goals this summer is trying to strengthen so we won't have so many injuries as last year. Individually, I am working on my total game and focusing on my jump shot. I need to expand it to a mid-range jumper. It's fun to watch everyone work hard to expand their game every day. Our pickup games have been really competitive and intense.
The four freshmen are coming along well. They are lifting and conditioning with us, and are working really hard to catch up to what you need to do at the college level.
In my free time, I am SLEEPING and watching MTV. That's about it. Our days are really full. I hope people understand that it's basketball and school for us, year-round, at Texas. Your free time is really precious!
Looking at this year ... We have only two seniors - me and Trina (Katrina Robinson), although she has two years of basketball eligibility left. That means... Lots and lots of responsibility!
It is a turn of events for me, because since I've been here, we've always had a lot more upperclassmen than underclassmen. I am a little nervous about that, but excited because, honestly, there is a good attitude out there every time we all get together. Last year losses taught us a lot. There is much more pride for the program and for our tradition right now.
With our change in coaches this summer, we've been able to all meet with Clarissa (Davis-Wrightsil, former UT great who has returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach) and talk to her before she left to recruit this month. Clariss is really fun and good to talk to. I know she is a competitor and she can really help us win and help us become better players individually.
My final message: I can promise all the fans a much, much better season this year !
Hook 'Em Horns!
Tiffany
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